Hidden or undetected vector breeding sites, such mosquitos, in and around homes drive the transmission of diseases including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Families often lack simple tools to identify these risks, track preventive measures, or adopt sustainable healthy behaviours. Limited household awareness and engagement leave breeding sites untreated, allowing outbreaks to grow and placing a heavy burden on vulnerable populations, healthcare facilities, and public health systems (laboratories, surveillance and vector control teams).
Vector-borne diseases threaten millions of people worldwide, with climate change expanding their reach beyond tropical areas. While anyone can be affected, children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing conditions face the highest risks.
Vector-borne diseases cause disability, premature death, and significant loss of healthy years of life. Infants and young adults may suffer lifelong consequences, while co-infections (e.g., dengue and COVID-19) increase severity and mortality. Without timely prevention at the household level, outbreaks persist, overwhelm health systems, and exacerbate existing inequalities, leaving vulnerable populations disproportionately exposed to avoidable risks.

The solution is a digital tool that supports households and individuals in identifying, controlling and eliminating mosquito breeding sites inside and around their homes. By using simple checklists, visual guidance, and reminders, families and individuals can monitor risks, recognise unsafe behaviours and track preventive measures. This empowers communities to act early and sustainably, reducing life-threatening and improving overall well-being.
Unlike traditional vector control, which depends heavily on limited public health teams, our approach shifts prevention into the hands of people and families. The tool is expected to combine simplicity with accessibility, offering step by step guidance on offline functionality. It will link risks with strategies and measures that can be taken.
The successful implementation of the idea will foster healthier living environments by reducing mosquito breeding sites and risky behaviours at scale. Vulnerable populations will face lower risks of infection, while communities gain knowledge and tools for long-term prevention. Public health systems will benefit from stronger community engagement, reduced demand during outbreaks, and improved collaboration, despite limited personnel and resources for field interventions.

Alternatives include behavioural change campaigns, surveillance and vector control campaigns led by government and health authorities, local household and space insecticide applications (with only short-term effectiveness), and house-to-house health education initiatives. Digital solutions exist, but these are mostly designed for authorities to report and digitalise information rather than for direct community use.
The solution builds on solid evidence that community participation is essential for sustainable vector control. By translating complex prevention measures into simple step-by-step digital guidance, it empowers households to take independent action. It also encourages early dialogue between families, communities, and local health teams about the epidemiological situation in their areas. Its adaptability to low-resource settings further reinforces confidence in its feasibility and long-term impact.
The main challenge will be sustaining household engagement beyond the initial adoption phase. While individuals often begin enthusiastically, experience with community-based projects shows that long-term use depends on demonstrating clear benefits, offering a user-friendly design, and integrating the tool into daily routines. Addressing digital literacy gaps and maintaining motivation will require continuous feedback loops, local champions, and supportive strategies to reinforce behaviour change and avoid tool abandonment.