The effect of global change on mosquito-borne disease

Abstract

In preparation for submission to the Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Viromics on Honey-Baited FTA Cards as a New Tool for the Detection of Circulating Viruses in Mosquitoes

“…Nearly 135 arboviruses are known to infect humans, posing a significant threat to public health [3]. Globalization, together with anthropic activities and climate change, has facilitated the dispersal of pathogenic agents (arboviruses included), their hosts and vectors, extending the risk to more and newer areas [4,5]. Since the increased incidence of dengue [6], Zika [7,8], chikungunya [9,10] and West Nile viruses [11], there is a growing interest in understanding the viral diversity harbored by arthropod vectors, and a rising necessity to develop more effective surveillance and monitoring tools for circulating viruses.…”

Dengue infection in Pakistan: not an isolated problem

“…This high frequency of dengue cases is due to dengue virus type 3, but all other serotypes are cocirculating. 4 What are the reasons for this unprecedented rise in dengue cases? Bangladesh has had an influx of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, which has led to a rise in many infectious diseases in 3 Vector populations are increasing in areas around the world, which as argued by Lydia H V Franklinos and colleagues, 4 is not only a result of climate change.…”

“…4 What are the reasons for this unprecedented rise in dengue cases? Bangladesh has had an influx of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, which has led to a rise in many infectious diseases in 3 Vector populations are increasing in areas around the world, which as argued by Lydia H V Franklinos and colleagues, 4 is not only a result of climate change. Other global change factors-including the growing population and increasing agriculture, deforestation, and urbanisationequally and substantially contribute to the spread of mosquitoes.…”

“…5 With an increasing yearly growth rate of 2·04%, the use of resources has increased too. 4 Pakistan, especially the metropolitan cities of Karachi and Lahore, has a humid and hot climate. A drastic increase in population has caused unplanned urbanisation, with a resulting increase of sanitary problems.…”

“…Bangladesh, such as diphtheria. 4 However, reliable data supporting the importation of dengue via Rohingya refugees do not exist. Given the increasing connectivity of air travel, 5 it is more plausible that dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh are a result of dengue importation from southeast Asia, which is currently also witnessing an unusually elevated dengue prevalence.…”