Aedes aegypti mosquitos are the primary vector for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses and tend to breed in small containers of water, with a propensity to breed in small piles of trash and abandoned tires. This study piloted the use of aerial imaging to map and classify potential Ae. aegypti breeding sites with a specific focus on trash, including discarded tires. Aerial images of coastal and inland sites in Kenya were obtained using an unmanned aerial vehicle. Aerial images were reviewed for identification of trash and suspected trash mimics, followed by extensive community walk-throughs to identify trash types and mimics by description and ground photography. An expert panel reviewed aerial images and ground photos to develop a classification scheme and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of aerial imaging versus walk-through trash mapping. A trash classification scheme was created based on trash density, surface area, potential for frequent disturbance, and overall likelihood of being a productive Ae. aegypti breeding site. Aerial imaging offers a novel strategy to characterize, map, and quantify trash at risk of promoting Ae. aegypti proliferation, generating opportunities for further research on trash associations with disease and trash interventions.

The poor availability of automatic external defibrillators (AED) and the modest knowledge of lay persons in handling these devices has led to an insufficient spread of public access defibrillation in Germany.
This article examines whether the automated deployment of AED drones to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can help to remedy this situation.
Narrative literature review, evaluation of statistics, analysis of relevant media reports, and discussion of key research.
The present investigations are mainly located in the experimental field and demonstrate the feasibility and safety of drone use, as well as shorter times to first defibrillation, which is confirmed by initial clinical studies. Mathematical models also indicate cost-effectiveness of airborne AED delivery compared to ground dispatch. Integration into the chain of survival appears to be possible but adaptations to existing emergency medical service structures and close cooperation with regional first responder and AED schemes as well as local authorities is required to optimise patient benefit and efficiency.
The use of AED drones could probably contribute to improving public access defibrillation in Germany. This applies to both rural and urban regions. The technological requirements are met but flight regulations still have to be amended. In order to explore the full potential of this novel technology, further field trials are required to achieve smooth integration into existing emergency medical services.
HINTERGRUND: Der Mangel an automatischen externen Defibrillatoren (AED) und die fehlende Kenntnis von Ersthelfern im Umgang mit diesen Geräten haben in Deutschland zu einer ungenügenden Verbreitung der Public-Access-Defibrillation geführt.
Dieser Artikel untersucht, inwieweit die automatisierte Zuführung von AED bei außerklinischem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand mithilfe von Drohnen hier Abhilfe schaffen kann.
Narrative Literaturübersicht, Auswertung von Statistiken, Analyse relevanter Medienmeldungen und Diskussion von Grundlagenarbeiten.
Die vorliegenden Untersuchungen sind überwiegend im experimentellen Bereich angesiedelt und belegen die Machbarkeit und die Sicherheit des Drohneneinsatzes sowie eine Verkürzung der Zeit bis zur Erstdefibrillation. Erste klinische Studien bestätigen dies.
Defi-Drohnen könnten wahrscheinlich zur Verbesserung der Frühdefibrillationrate in Deutschland beitragen. Dies gilt sowohl für den ländlichen als auch den urbanen Raum. Die technologischen Voraussetzungen sind gegeben, die flugrechtlichen Bedingungen müssten allerdings noch angepasst werden. Um das volle Potenzial der neuen Technologie auszuloten, sind weitere Feldversuche erforderlich.