Climate projections across the Midwest point to warmer winters, earlier springs and warmer summers. This fosters conditions suitable for higher precipitation, which leads to a greater risk of vector-borne diseases. Examples include mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and tick-carried diseases such as Lyme disease.
Heat waves featuring high temperatures, high humidity and stagnant air masses could become more common and may lead to increased levels of heat-related illness.
Predicted increased precipitation and flooding from such events can also lead to runoff from sewage and septic systems potentially increasing the risk of water-borne diseases and, in some cases, harmful algal blooms in our most precious Great Lakes.
Category:
Cold-Weather Health Issues