Meanwhile, although it is difficult to guess exactly what pestilence the warming winds could bring, doctors certainly will find that if predictions hold true, everyday health problems will be exacerbated. The list, according to Dr. Bransford, begins with respiratory illnesses including asthma and chronic pulmonary disorders. In addition, cases of heat-related illness are likely to increase. Depending on the region, tickborne ailments such as Lyme disease or waterborne gastrointestinal illnesses could proliferate. Whether parasitic or viral, waterborne diseases usually result from contamination and are often related to weather extremes such as flooding.
Warmer air holds more moisture, thus the potential for heavier downpour events.
The mosquitoes that carry it, Dr. Hoffman said, have always been present domestically. At the turn of the century, Washington, D.C., was even considered a hardship post by foreign diplomats because of malaria's prevalence. But the American vectors are a thousand times less strong than those that have wreaked havoc in Africa. Moreover, even if the stronger pests found a niche here, they would face a much tougher adversary than what they have confronted in other tropical and subtropical areas. He used the West Nile virus to illustrate his point.