Impacts of Changing Climate on Arthropod Vectors and Diseases Transmission

Abstract

Climate change stands as a burgeoning global concern with profound implications. The present review seeks to present the projected impacts of climate change on disease vectors and their transmission of various human and animal diseases. The impact of climate on the prevalence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), which significantly affect human and animal populations, is notable. The occurrence of VBDs, influenced by local epidemiological and ecological factors alongside specific climatic conditions, may exhibit fluctuations due to climate change. Particularly affected are exothermic arthropod vectors, responsible for transmitting most vectorborne diseases. The intricate interplay of temperature, precipitation, humidity, and other environmental factors significantly shapes the reproduction, development, behavior, and population dynamics of arthropod disease vectors. Also, climate change can alter the spread of pathogens within vectors, influence population dynamics, and impact the range of nonhuman vertebrate reservoirs for numerous vector-borne diseases. Predicting the precise impact of sustained climate change on these diseases poses a considerable challenge, necessitating comprehensive long-term research. These researches must encompass the effects of climate change while considering the contributions of other global change agents, including increased trade and travel, demographic shifts, civil unrests, alterations in land use, water availability, and related factors. The association between climate change and the emergence of specific diseases has been established. However, for certain diseases, the risk of local transmission is significant, while for others, pinpointing the exact influence remains elusive. Therefore, strategic adaptation and preparedness for the shifting distribution patterns of VBDs are imperative, especially in the context of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.