Zika in Americas

Vector-borne diseases are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions especially in Africa, South America, and Asia. Vector eradication is perhaps not possible since pathogens adapt to local environment. In absence of appropriate vaccinations, burden of Zika infection is likely to increase in several geographical locations within Americas. Etiological pathways of Aedes spp., one of the major vectors for Zika, are evolving, however the key question remains as to how one species of mosquito can transmit several different infections (Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya). We argue that a set of conducive environmental condition, modulated by regional climatic and weather processes, may lead to abundance of a specific virus. Using satellite based rainfall (TRMM/GPM), land surface temperature (MODIS) and dew point temperature (AIRS/MERRA), we have identified appropriate thresholds that can provide estimate on risk of abundance of Zika viruse atleast few weeks in advance. We will discuss a framework coupling satellite derived hydroclimatic and societal processes to predict environmental niches of favorability of conditions of Zika risk in human population on a global scale.