Habitat suitability for the WNV vectors Cx. pipiens, Cx. restuans, Cx. tarsalis and Ae. albopictus is predicted to expand under climate change in Canada.
Climate-change-induced events like annual warming, extreme heat, and drought will likely increase mosquito abundance and disease transmission by speeding up both mosquito development and viral replication, among other reasons. Other events, like heavy rainfall, will have variable impacts depending on the mosquito species and habitat.
Reinforcing surveillance and proactive WNV control efforts will be critical to reducing risk, both now and under future climate scenarios.