South Korea’s largest telephone company KT has launched an epidemic prevention application in Laos.
The app, dubbed the Global Epidemic Prevention Platform (GEPP), will allow users to check nearby contagions and their symptoms, and how to avoid contracting them, the company said in a statement on September 10.
Those who have visited affected areas can also report their symptoms to nearby health centers through the app.
In addition, the Lao government will be able to collect data from GEPP so that it can monitor contagion progression.
KT said dengue fever and measles were on the rise in Southeast Asia, with the number of overall medical patients in Laos having increased by 42 times in 2019 compared to the previous year.
The app will also help local authorities tackle these illnesses as well as prevent its spread globally, the company added.
KT plans to further expand the service to other parts of Southeast Asia going forward while working to roll out a trial project in Laos that would use fingerprint recognition technology to register the vaccination history of children.
Laos issued a nationwide dengue fever warning in July this year.
