Climate change influences the distribution and prevalence of disease-carrying insects by expanding their geographic range, altering breeding conditions, and extending transmission seasons. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns create more favorable environments for vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Continuous monitoring is essential to effectively address these public health challenges.

A commentary

https://360info.org/climate-change-doesnt-have-to-mean-more-insect-borne-diseases and a perspective https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-024-00115-3

Environmental factors like climate change significantly impact the distribution and prevalence of disease-carrying insects in several ways:

1. _Temperature increase_: Warmer temperatures expand the geographic range and activity period of insects like mosquitoes and ticks, allowing them to thrive in previously cooler areas.

2. _Changing precipitation patterns_: Altered rainfall and drought patterns affect insect habitats, leading to changes in population dynamics and distribution.

3. _Seasonal disruptions_: Climate change alters the timing of seasonal events, like earlier springs, which can disrupt the synchronization between insects and their hosts or predators.

4. _Increased extreme weather events_: Events like floods and droughts can lead to changes in insect populations and distribution.

5. _Habitat modification_: Climate change alters ecosystems, creating new habitats for disease-carrying insects to colonize.

6. _Human migration and displacement_: Climate change can lead to human migration, potentially exposing new populations to disease-carrying insects.

7. _Insecticide resistance_: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can accelerate the development of insecticide resistance in disease-carrying insects.

Examples of disease-carrying insects affected by climate change include:

- Mosquitoes (malaria, dengue, Zika)

- Ticks (Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis)

- Sandflies (leishmaniasis)

- Midges (bluetongue virus)

These changes can lead to increased disease transmission, outbreaks, and epidemics, highlighting the need for climate-informed public health strategies.