Global Warming

Changes in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may result in warmer air and ocean temperatures. If these changes occur, they could have significant effects on death rates from increases in heat-related deaths and an increased incidence of infectious diseases. Global warming may have grave consequences for the future control of disease. In the coming decades, and in combination with other environmental and social pressures, the current world-wide warming trend is likely to increase the exposure …

…also need more information about transport of agents, modes of transmission, their reservoirs, and the effect of temperature, rainfall, and other climate-related parameters on the vectors. Studies of ecology at the border of the ranges of the agents and their reservoirs would be especially valuable. Such information could be used to predict more accurately which of the diseases to target as threats, and which will be less likely to spread and/or become more severe.