Deputy Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fort Collins, Colorado
Each year in the United States, vector-borne diseases (VBDs) result in significant morbidity and mortality. Between 2004 and 2019, more than 800,000 cases of VBDs were reported in the United States. The number of reported cases of disease from mosquito, tick, and flea bites more than doubled over this period. Tickborne diseases (TBDs) now account for over 80% of all reported VBD cases, and mosquito-borne disease epidemics happen more frequently. Climate change will likely alter the geographic and seasonal occurrence of vectors and VBDs in the United States. Ticks and mosquitoes will likely demonstrate earlier seasonal activity and an expanding northward distribution. As a result, more people are likely to be at risk over a larger area and for longer periods of time, leading to increasing VBD illness. Additionally, vector-borne pathogens will likely emerge or reemerge due to the interactions of climate factors with many other drivers. These interacting factors may also lead to a greater risk for the establishment of invasive vectors and pathogens. The capacity to mitigate emerging VBD threats can be enhanced through the development of international collaborative partnerships focused on rapid detection and response.
