'AI-Based Real-Time Vector Mosquito Surveillance Network' Launched in Seven Regions Nationwide

KDCA and Local Governments Collaborate
Efficient and Timely Control Enabled by Rapid Surveillance Data

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on May 11 that it will launch a "real-time vector surveillance network" utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor changes in vector distribution, as the risk of introduction of overseas infectious disease vectors increases due to climate change.

Previously, the KDCA developed the world's first AI-based real-time vector mosquito surveillance device (AI-DMS) applicable in the field in 2023, and completed the verification of surveillance accuracy and durability in the field from 2024 to 2025.

The existing manual surveillance system took about 7 to 11 days from collection to mosquito species identification, which limited the ability to provide surveillance information for immediate control measures. To overcome this, the AI-DMS was developed, which can count and provide surveillance information on five major vector mosquito species—Aedes albopictus, Culex pipiens, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes vexans nipponii, and Armigeres subalbatus—in real time with over 95% accuracy.

Starting this year, the KDCA plans to conduct real-time vector surveillance using AI-DMS at seven migratory bird sites in cooperation with six local government Institute of Health & Environment Research Centers, including Dorasan Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province; Dongbaekdongsan Wetland Center in Jeju; Geumgang Wetland Ecological Park in Gunsan, Jeonbuk; Suncheonman Park in Suncheon, Jeonnam; Hwanho Park in Cheongju, Chungbuk; Birdland in Seosan, Chungnam; and Taehwagang National Garden in Ulsan.

The "AI-based real-time surveillance results," including hourly and daily changes in mosquito distribution and density collected from May 11 to October 30, will be provided to the public every week through the Infectious Disease Vector Surveillance Weekly Newsletter posted on the KDCA website.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "Through the AI-based real-time vector surveillance network, we will promptly identify changes in vector mosquito density and quickly link this to control measures, proactively blocking the risk of vector-borne infectious disease outbreaks." He added, "Going forward, we will expand cooperation with local governments and develop a dense, nationwide AI-based surveillance network."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.