Climate Change and Emerging Infectious Diseases: Preparing Health Systems for a New Era of Global Health Risks

Introduction
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in climate, humidity, winds, and other weather patterns resulting from both natural and anthropogenic activities that alter atmospheric conditions (1,2). It is increasingly recognized as a critical driver in the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, especially zoonotic and vector-borne diseases (3,4). Human health and lives are being impacted by the environmental effects of climate change, which include rising sea levels, rising temperatures, more extreme weather events, an increase in droughts, flooding, and wildfires (1,5). One of the main impacts of climate change on public health is the influence on zoonotic diseases that are transmitted from vertebral animals to humans by parasites, viruses, and bacteria (3,4),  and in particular on vector-borne diseases (VBD) transmission since a warmer climate and changing rainfall patterns may create more hospitable environments for climate-sensitive vectors such as mosquitoes, sand-flies, and ticks (3,6).

Keywords: Climate Change, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Zoonotic Spillover, Vector-Borne Diseases, Ecological Disruption, Health System Resilience, Vulnerable Populations, One Health Approach, Environmental Health, Global Health Risks