Chapter Twelve - Effect of climate change on vector-borne disease

Abstract

In the 20th century, among many public and animal health troubles, vector-borne diseases (VBDs) were the most serious problem in the world. These diseases were controlled during the middle of the 20th century through knowledge about their natural history along with the judicious use of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Through other insecticides, the transmission cycle between the arthropod and the vertebrate host was interrupted. Global trends toward changes in animal husbandry, modern transportation, urbanization, and globalization have resulted in a global reemergence of epidemic VBDs, which have affected both humans and animals over the past 50 years. Due to uncontrolled and unscientific urbanization, the habitats and breeding places of arthropods are increasing day by day. Global warming is also providing ambient weather for arthropods to invade new areas. More than 90% of the impact on climate change by carbon dioxide and methane is due to the emissions of man-made greenhouse gases. It has led to the emergence of VBD in newer areas where those diseases have not been seen. Vectors such as mosquitoes, midges, and ticks are responsible for transmitting different infectious diseases in animals and humans. Among all other vector-borne diseases, Zika fever is a newer addition. The prevailing VBDs are Chikungunya, Dengue fever, eastern equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, malaria, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, Babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and bluetongue. These diseases are invading newer areas or reemerging.