New research has identified correlations between weather conditions and the occurrence of West Nile virus disease in the United States, raising the possibility of being able to better predict outbreaks.
The study, by researchers with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), finds strong correlations across much of the country between an increased occurrence of West Nile virus disease and above average temperatures in the preceding year. The scientists also find that precipitation influences subsequent disease outbreaks, although the impacts vary by region.
The weather may influence West Nile virus activity by affecting the breeding habitats and abundance of Culex species mosquitoes, which transmit the virus. The weather may also have other impacts, such as affecting populations of infected birds that pass on the virus to mosquitoes.
