Satellite-based forecasting system launched to fight dengue fever in Vietnam

HANOI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A satellite-based dengue forecasting system has been established in Vietnam to help curb the spread of dengue fever, local media reported on Wednesday.

Launched on Tuesday, the system, known as D-MOSS, uses a combination of satellite information, weather forecasting and historical data on previous outbreaks to create an early warning system, up to eight months in advance, for potential epidemics, daily newspaper Vietnam News reported.

D-MOSS is the first of its kind in the world that is based on Earth observation and allows decision makers to identify high-risk areas of epidemics, then to mobilize forces to reduce incidents of diseases several months in advance.

The system will be implemented in Hanoi, central Khanh Hoa province, central highlands Dak Lak province and southern Dong Nai province during the 2019-2021 period. It will release the first predictions in June.

Through the system, local communities will receive direction on where to focus their efforts to reduce mosquito-breeding sites to prevent outbreaks of dengue.

Vietnam detected 26,200 dengue fever patients, including one fatality in the first two months of this year, according to its General Statistics Office.