Improved Use of Drone Imagery for Malaria Vector Control through Technology-Assisted Digitizing (TAD)

Hardy, Andrew; Oakes, Gregory; Hassan, Juma; Yussuf, Yussuf

doi:10.3390/rs14020317

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The Technology-Assisted Digitizing (TAD) mapping approach using the RegionGrow tool was found to be significantly more accurate in extracting information about potential mosquito larval habitats from drone imagery compared to the supervised classification approach. Integrating the TAD approach into operational LSM programs is recommended due to its high accuracy results ( Hardy et al., 2022 ).…”

Section: Vector Control Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Updates on traditional methods for combating malaria and emerging Wolbachia-based interventions

Mushtaq,

Sarwar,

Chaudhry

et al. 2024

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The escalating challenge of malaria control necessitates innovative approaches that extend beyond traditional control strategies. This review explores the incorporation of traditional vector control techniques with emerging Wolbachia-based interventions. Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacteria, offers a novel approach for combatting vector-borne diseases, including malaria, by reducing the mosquitoes’ ability to transmit these diseases. The study explores the rationale for this integration, presenting various case studies and pilot projects that have exhibited significant success. Employing a multi-dimensional approach that includes community mobilization, environmental modifications, and new biological methods, the paper posits that integrated efforts could mark a turning point in the struggle against malaria. Our findings indicate that incorporating Wolbachia-based strategies into existing vector management programs not only is feasible but also heightens the efficacy of malaria control initiatives in different countries especially in Pakistan. The paper concludes that continued research and international collaboration are imperative for translating these promising methods from the laboratory to the field, thereby offering a more sustainable and effective malaria control strategy.

show abstract

Section: Vector Control Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Updates on traditional methods for combating malaria and emerging Wolbachia-based interventions

Mushtaq,

Sarwar,

Chaudhry

et al. 2024

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This approach can include the following steps: Manual digitization: the simplest approach that relies on visual identification of key features; this has been shown to be effective for pinpointing malaria vector breeding sites in Tanzania [ 20 ]. Region-growing/technology-assisted digitizing: this approach builds on manual digitization by using automated approaches to classify similar neighbouring pixels [ 51 ]. Unsupervised classification: these methods group features within an image into different categories without the use of training data to define classes of interest.…”

Section: Integrating Drones Into Vector Surveillancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Region-growing/technology-assisted digitizing: this approach builds on manual digitization by using automated approaches to classify similar neighbouring pixels [ 51 ].…”

Section: Integrating Drones Into Vector Surveillancementioning

confidence: 99%

The use of drones for mosquito surveillance and control

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent years, global health security has been threatened by the geographical expansion of vector-borne infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya. For a range of these vector-borne diseases, an increase in residual (exophagic) transmission together with ecological heterogeneity in everything from weather to local human migration and housing to mosquito species’ behaviours presents many challenges to effective mosquito control. The novel use of drones (or uncrewed aerial vehicles) may play a major role in the success of mosquito surveillance and control programmes in the coming decades since the global landscape of mosquito-borne diseases and disease dynamics fluctuates frequently and there could be serious public health consequences if the issues of insecticide resistance and outdoor transmission are not adequately addressed. For controlling both aquatic and adult stages, for several years now remote sensing data have been used together with predictive modelling for risk, incidence and detection of transmission hot spots and landscape profiles in relation to mosquito-borne pathogens. The field of drone-based remote sensing is under continuous change due to new technology development, operation regulations and innovative applications. In this review we outline the opportunities and challenges for integrating drones into vector surveillance (i.e. identification of breeding sites or mapping micro-environmental composition) and control strategies (i.e. applying larval source management activities or deploying genetically modified agents) across the mosquito life-cycle. We present a five-step systematic environmental mapping strategy that we recommend be undertaken in locations where a drone is expected to be used, outline the key considerations for incorporating drone or other Earth Observation data into vector surveillance and provide two case studies of the advantages of using drones equipped with multispectral cameras. In conclusion, recent developments mean that drones can be effective for accurately conducting surveillance, assessing habitat suitability for larval and/or adult mosquitoes and implementing interventions. In addition, we briefly discuss the need to consider permissions, costs, safety/privacy perceptions and community acceptance for deploying drone activities. Graphical Abstract

show abstract

“…Remote sensing is a powerful tool for studying the larval habitats of mosquitoes, particularly those that transmit diseases such as malaria [ 14 , 15 ]. Several studies have highlighted the increased effectiveness of integrating remote sensing into the control systems of these vector-borne diseases [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of environmental and spatial factors influencing the establishment of Anopheles gambiae larval habitats in the malaria endemic province of Woleu-Ntem, northern Gabon

Longo-Pendy,

Sevidzem,

Makanga

et al. 2024

Malar J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of Anopheles mosquito larval habitats and the environmental factors associated with them, as a prerequisite for the implementation of larviciding. Methods The study was conducted in December 2021, during the transition period between the end of the short rainy season (September–November) and the short dry season (December-February). Physical, biological, and land cover data were integrated with entomological observations to collect Anopheles larvae in three major towns: Mitzic, Oyem, and Bitam, using the "dipping" method during the transition from rainy to dry season. The collected larvae were then reared in a field laboratory established for the study period. After the Anopheles mosquitoes had emerged, their species were identified using appropriate morphological taxonomic keys. To determine the influence of environmental factors on the breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes, multiple-factor analysis (MFA) and a binomial generalized linear model were used. Results According to the study, only 33.1% out of the 284 larval habitats examined were found to be positive for Anopheles larvae, which were primarily identified as belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex. The findings of the research suggested that the presence of An. gambiae complex larvae in larval habitats was associated with various significant factors such as higher urbanization, the size and type of the larval habitats (pools and puddles), co-occurrence with Culex and Aedes larvae, hot spots in ambient temperature, moderate rainfall, and land use patterns. Conclusions The results of this research mark the initiation of a focused vector control plan that aims to eradicate or lessen the larval habitats of An. gambiae mosquitoes in Gabon's Woleu Ntem province. This approach deals with the root causes of malaria transmission through larvae and is consistent with the World Health Organization's (WHO) worldwide objective to decrease malaria prevalence in regions where it is endemic.

show abstract

Improved Use of Drone Imagery for Malaria Vector Control through Technology-Assisted Digitizing (TAD)

Cited by 13 publications

References 34 publications

Updates on traditional methods for combating malaria and emerging Wolbachia-based interventions

Updates on traditional methods for combating malaria and emerging Wolbachia-based interventions

The use of drones for mosquito surveillance and control

Assessment of environmental and spatial factors influencing the establishment of Anopheles gambiae larval habitats in the malaria endemic province of Woleu-Ntem, northern Gabon

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About