The spread of viruses like Zika and climate change
Climate change is expected to alter the geographic and seasonal distributions of existing vectors and vector-borne diseases [Likely, High Confidence].
Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and a higher frequency of some extreme
weather events associated with climate change will influence the distribution, abundance, and prevalence of
infection in the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus and other pathogens by altering habitat availability
and mosquito and viral reproduction rates [Very Likely, High Confidence].
References
The Impacts Of Climate Change On Human Health In The United States – A Scientific Assessment
https://health2016.globalchange.gov/downloads
Click to access ClimateHealth2016_05_Vector_small.pdf
Scientists Say Climate Change May Have Fueled Zika http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-05/scientists-say-climate-change-may-have-fueled-zika-outbreak
The first half of 2016 was the warmest such period by far in a record dating back 137 years http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/imageo/2016/07/19/first-half-2016-warmest-on-record
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