THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE RELATED FACTORS ON EMERGING AND REEMERGING ZOONOTIC AND VECTOR -BORNE DISEASE

The variations in modeled and observed climate related factors such temperature, precipitation and humidity have led to predictions for a myriad of human health effects as climate change progresses. Public health practitioners, regional planning and management officials, as well as scientists from all disciplines are working together to identify methods to promote resilience and to help lower risk for adverse health effects. Among the myriad of anticipated and observed health problems an area receiving increased scrutiny is that of emerging or reemerging zoonotic or vector-borne diseases. Cases of Valley Fever for example, caused by the fungus Coccidioides, have more than doubled in California in the past decade. An overview of disease, changing prevalence and range as well as potential roles for the geoscience community will be presented