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The incidence of vibriosis is rising globally with evidence of climate variability influencing environmental processes that support growth of pathogenic Vibrio spp. The waterborne pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus can invade wounds and has one of the highest case fatality rates in humans. The bacterium cannot be eradicated from the aquatic environment, hence climate driven environmental conditions enhancing growth and dissemination of V. vulnificus need to be understood to provide preemptive assessment of its presence and distribution in aquatic systems. To achieve this objective, satellite remote sensing was employed to quantify the association of sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) in locations with reported V. vulnificus infections. Monthly analysis was done in two populated regions of the Gulf of Mexico—Tampa Bay, Florida, and Galveston Bay, Texas. Results indicate warm water, characterized by a 2‐month lag in SST, high concentration of phytoplankton, proxied for zooplankton using 1 month lagged chl‐a values, was statistically linked to higher odds of V. vulnificus infection in the human population. Identification of climate and ecological processes thresholds is concluded to be useful for development of an heuristic prediction system designed to determine risk of infection for coastal populations. Plain Language Summary: Our study focused on Vibrio spp., a group of bacteria in warm, slightly salty water. One of these, Vibrio vulnificus, is especially dangerous and can cause severe illness with a high risk of death. The spread of this pathogen in humans is becoming more of a concern due to climate change. We aimed to understand what environmental conditions influence occurrence of the disease caused by this bacterium. The main factor linked to the rise of V. vulnificus is sea surface temperature (SST). However, other factors like chlorophyll also play a role. We used satellite data to monitor SST and chlorophyll levels and statistically associated this data with the number of people getting sick from V. vulnificus. Our findings indicate a pattern: when 2 months prior SST and 1‐month prior chlorophyll levels are higher than their monthly average, the chance of V. vulnificus infections is higher. By using this pattern, we aim to predict better when and where infections might happen, helping identify at‐risk areas and potentially stop outbreaks before they occur. Key Points: Likelihood of Vibrio vulnificus infections is influenced by elevated Sea Surface Temperature and chlorophyll of previous monthsSea Surface Temperature, chlorophyll, and V. vulnificus cases occurrence showed increasing trends during the study periodStatistically significant difference was observed between overall chlorophyll levels and the levels recorded during increased cases of V. vulnificus [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholera is a waterborne disease caused by Vibrio Cholerae that affects places with poor WASH infrastructures. A majority of outbreaks occur in coastal regions, indicating there is a correlation between the environment of an area and the occurrence of the disease. Yemen is experiencing one of the largest outbreaks of cholera, whose collapsing water infrastructure is contributed to the ongoing Yemeni Civil War. The occurrence and growth of the Vibirios can be linked to climatic variables, which can be used to develop a mathematical model to predict the risk of cholera for an area. Using satellite derived data on precipitation, temperature, population density and the available water and sanitation infrastructure, a near real time algorithm is developed to predict the risk of an outbreak of cholera for an area. In this study, the risk of cholera for Yemen is produced four weeks in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chikungunya epidemics have been affecting human health around the globe since their first documentation in the late 1700's. The vector borne virus spreads through the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and typically causes severe joint pains, fever and rash. A vaccine remains absent and there are no specific medications to aid recovery, leaving the population on its own to relieve the symptoms. Chikungunya was absent in the Americas for almost 200 years, but recently has had a troubling reemergence in those areas despite the disease spreading mosquitoes having always resided in the area. The concern is why these mosquitoes are suddenly carrying and spreading this disease, after its two century dormancy. With the sudden outbreak, Chikungunya cases for affected countries in the Americas have been collected and correlated with temperature and precipitation for the period 2013-2017. Temperature and precipitation data five years prior to the sudden epidemic are also compared with the disease cases, to look at conditions leading up to the outbreak. This information will allow for future prediction of outbreaks in countries prone to Chikungunya virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholera is perhaps one of the oldest and deadly water-borne disease that affects nearly 3-5 million human population each year around the globe. Its existence was first documented in the Indian subcontinent around 5th century BC and seven cholera pandemics have been recorded worldwide since the 18th century. This spatiotemporal movement had brought cholera on the radar of global concern, which led into the causal and susceptibility research, leaving a research vacuum in the field of vibrio movement. One of the two current dominant thought on the spread of cholera suggests the presence of vibrios in the environment (water body) and under conducive conditions, these vibrios interact with the human population that leads to the trigger of the disease. This suggestive theory brought all identified and non-identified locations under the scrutiny of water quality in terms of these pathogens. We have analyzed thousands of vibrios reported in several databases in last five decades and have constructed an innovative space-time evolution of these bacteria around the globe. In this study, we will provide an environmental niche model to determine the spatiotemporal movement of these vibrios that will shed insights on the randomness of the vibrios in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]