Climate Change and Meningoencephalitis in the Americas: A Brewing Storm

Climate change has significantly impacted the ecological interactions between pathogens, vectors and human populations. Regional variations in temperature and precipitation patterns have shifted the geographic spread and seasonality of infectious diseases. Cases of meningoencephalitis, in particular those caused by vector-borne infections, are likewise expected to display changes in seasonality and geographic distribution. We review the current evidence on the impact of climate change on the epidemiology of vector-borne meningoencephalitis in the Americas.

Epidemiologic data and climate models have shown a northward expansion of Lyme disease, West Nile virus, La Crosse virus and Eastern Equine virus infections. Similar geographic shifts are expected to occur with St Louis virus, Everglades virus and Powassan virus infections. These increased incidence is deemed to be the result of warmer winters and heavier precipitation seasons.

Climate change has led to epidemiologic changes of vector-borne meningoencephalitis in the Americas, and further changes are expected to occur. The impact of climate change on the incidence, seasonality and geographic distribution of vectors and pathogens should be monitored closely.