Climatic Variables and Malaria Transmission: Intricacies of Application

Abstract

Vector borne diseases are climate sensitive as the transmitting agent, mosquito/sand fly/tick are poikilotherms affecting their life cycle as well as the time taken in development of pathogen in their bodies. With the threat of climate change, there is renewed interest in understanding the link between climate and vector borne diseases. The studies are still limited owing to lack of multidisciplinary approach required for understanding the relationship between meteorology, modelling and transmission dynamics of vector borne diseases. Recent studies have opened up new vistas of opportunities as well as challenges and better understanding of the link between climate and mosquito vectors. The present review highlights the intricacies of main climatic factors, i.e. temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind velocity and radiation on the life of mosquito and subsequently transmission dynamics with example of malaria as one of the vector borne diseases, and need for further research