Vector-Borne Outbreaks and The Next Pandemic Threat

As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, a new and potentially more complex challenge is emerging: one driven by the changing dynamics of our planet itself. Over half of known human pathogens are expected to be aggravated by rising temperatures and extreme weather events. These changes expand habitats for disease vectors, alter animal migration patterns, and, combined with global mobility and poverty, facilitate disease transmission and increase human movement. The next pandemic is likely to be zoonotic, with many vector-borne diseases having zoonotic origins, which complicates control and prevention efforts. While there is significant attention given to pandemics caused by respiratory viruses, there is a need to better recognize and address the epidemic and pandemic potential of vector-borne diseases. This comment aims to highlight the threat of recent vector-borne outbreaks facilitated by climate change and calls for action to enhance epidemic and pandemic preparedness.