Testing novel facial recognition technology to identify dogs during vaccination campaigns

Czupryna, A. M. , Estepho, M., Lugelo, A., Bigambo, M., Sambo, M., Changalucha, J. , Lushasi, K. S., Rooyakkers, P., Hampson, K. and Lankester, F. (2023) Testing novel facial recognition technology to identify dogs during vaccination campaigns. Scientific Reports, 13, 22025. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-49522-2) (PMID:38086911) (PMCID:PMC10716125)

Abstract

A lack of methods to identify individual animals can be a barrier to zoonoses control. We developed and field-tested facial recognition technology for a mobile phone application to identify dogs, which we used to assess vaccination coverage against rabies in rural Tanzania. Dogs were vaccinated, registered using the application, and microchipped. During subsequent household visits to validate vaccination, dogs were registered using the application and their vaccination status determined by operators using the application to classify dogs as vaccinated (matched) or unvaccinated (unmatched), with microchips validating classifications. From 534 classified dogs (251 vaccinated, 283 unvaccinated), the application specificity was 98.9% and sensitivity 76.2%, with positive and negative predictive values of 98.4% and 82.8% respectively. The facial recognition algorithm correctly matched 249 (99.2%) vaccinated and microchipped dogs (true positives) and failed to match two (0.8%) vaccinated dogs (false negatives). Operators correctly identified 186 (74.1%) vaccinated dogs (true positives), and 280 (98.9%) unvaccinated dogs (true negatives), but incorrectly classified 58 (23.1%) vaccinated dogs as unmatched (false negatives). Reduced application sensitivity resulted from poor quality photos and light-associated color distortion. With development and operator training, this technology has potential to be a useful tool to identify dogs and support research and intervention programs.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Tis study was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services of the National Institutes of Health [R01AI141712], by Wellcome [207569/Z/17/Z] and by MSD Animal Health.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sambo, Dr Maganga and Czupryna, Dr Anna and Lankester, Dr Felix and Lugelo, Dr Ahmed and Hampson, Professor Katie and changalucha, Mr joel
• Authors: Czupryna, A. M., Estepho, M., Lugelo, A., Bigambo, M., Sambo, M., Changalucha, J., Lushasi, K. S., Rooyakkers, P., Hampson, K., and Lankester, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 13: 22025
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301620		The Science of Rabies Elimination	Katie Hampson	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	207569/Z/17/Z	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine