What Are the Key Climatic Factors in Epidemiology?

1. Temperature: Many pathogens and vectors are sensitive to temperature changes. Warmer climates can accelerate the lifecycle of vectors like mosquitoes, increasing the transmission of vector-borne diseases.
2. Humidity: High humidity levels can prolong the viability of viruses and bacteria on surfaces and in the air, facilitating their spread.
3. Precipitation: Heavy rainfall can lead to the proliferation of water-borne diseases by contaminating water supplies. It can also create breeding grounds for vectors.
4. Wind: Wind patterns can influence the dispersal of airborne diseases, spreading pathogens over large distances.
5. Sunlight: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight can kill or deactivate many pathogens, reducing their ability to cause infections.