Climate Change and the Rise of Vector-Borne Diseases in Animals

Introduction Climate change is no longer a future threat-it is a present reality, rapidly transforming global ecosystems. One of its most profound yet underappreciated consequences is the emergence and intensification of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in animals. These diseases, transmitted by arthropod vectors like ticks, mosquitoes, flies, and fleas, are increasingly affecting livestock, pets, and wildlife-jeopardizing animal welfare, food security, and public health. Veterinarians, ecologists, and public health professionals are sounding the alarm: rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and changing ecosystems are creating ideal conditions for the proliferation of vectors and the pathogens they carry.