AI real-time monitoring records first-ever reading above 100 insects

Officials from the Paldal-gu public health center conduct mosquito control operations near Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Aug. 25. [Yonhap]
Officials from the Paldal-gu public health center conduct mosquito control operations near Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Aug. 25. [Yonhap]

Mosquito activity is surging again as the heat wave eases and cooler breezes begin arriving in the mornings and evenings. The mosquito index nearly doubled in a single week, surpassing 100 insects for the first time under the AI-based real-time monitoring system introduced this year.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Week 35 real-time mosquito surveillance report (Aug. 24–29), the mosquito index — measured by daily monitoring equipment across seven regions nationwide — reached 100.9 insects, up 47.9 from the previous week's reading of 53. The KDCA introduced AI-based real-time mosquito monitoring equipment, known as DMS, this year, and this marks the first time the index has exceeded 100 insects under that system.

The real-time mosquito index had hovered around 40 to 50 insects from Week 28 through Week 32 before climbing to 99.5 in Week 33, then falling back to 53.0 in Week 34 — only to surge again the following week.

The index for Japanese encephalitis-carrying mosquitoes — the small brown house mosquito — also rose in Week 35 (Aug. 24–29), averaging 102 insects, up from 68 the previous week. However, that figure remains below last year's reading of 228.

The index for malaria-carrying mosquitoes — the Anopheles genus — averaged 3.5 insects in Week 34 (Aug. 17–23), roughly on par with the prior week's 3.6 and well below last year's 7.9.

Mosquitoes typically breed in stagnant water and are most active at temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. Because they are highly sensitive to temperature and humidity, their activity tends to drop during peak summer heat waves and rebound once cooler air arrives in the mornings and evenings.

This year, daytime temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius persisted through mid-August, keeping mosquito numbers low. Rain that began around the Liberation Day holiday then raised humidity levels and pushed early-morning lows below 25 degrees Celsius — conditions that appear to have triggered the rebound.

Health authorities warned that mosquitoes can transmit a range of infectious diseases, including Japanese encephalitis and malaria, and urged the public to take precautions. Through October, when mosquitoes remain active, people are advised to avoid outdoor activities after sunset and, when going out at night, to wear loose, light-colored clothing that covers the skin and apply insect repellent to any exposed areas. At home, residents should check window screens and eliminate standing water around the house to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.


yg@heraldcorp.com