Microsoft founder Bill Gates has announced the use of computer vision technology as a crucial development in the battle against malaria, a disease that kills over 600,000 people annually.
In a blog post, Gates introduced VectorCam, an app developed by Dr. Soumya Acharya and his team at Johns Hopkins University, with support from the Gates Foundation and Uganda’s malaria control program. The app allows for the rapid identification of mosquito species, a critical task in controlling the spread of malaria.
VectorCam utilises a smartphone and an inexpensive lens to identify mosquitoes in seconds, distinguishing between species, determining their sex, and even assessing if a female mosquito has recently fed on blood or developed eggs. The technology is currently being tested in Uganda, where it is already proving useful in adjusting insecticide strategies and improving the speed and accuracy of mosquito surveillance.
The innovation addresses the challenges faced by vector control officers in Uganda, who are responsible for collecting, identifying, and reporting mosquito data, often from remote locations. VectorCam streamlines this process by allowing local health workers to perform identifications, freeing up vector control officers to focus on broader strategic efforts.
In addition to VectorCam, Gates mentioned another emerging tool, HumBug, which identifies mosquito species based on the sound of their wing beats. While still in early development, HumBug could further enhance automated and continuous mosquito monitoring.
Gates said that while identifying mosquito species is vital, new and better tools are also needed to eradicate malaria. He expressed optimism that these innovations could bring the world closer to achieving this goal.
