How Does Temperature Influence Disease Transmission?
Temperature can affect disease transmission in various ways. For vector-borne diseases, the reproductive rate and survival of vectors such as mosquitoes are highly temperature-dependent. For example, higher temperatures can accelerate the life cycle of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, increasing the transmission of diseases like Dengue and Zika. In contrast, colder temperatures can prolong the survival of respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19, facilitating their spread in winter months. This seasonal variation underscores the importance of temperature control in disease prevention.
