I think lately we are looking for a reason to blame climate change for a lot of things because it is top of mind and we fear it so much. However, a historically

I think lately we are looking for a reason to blame climate change for a lot of things because it is top of mind and we fear it so much. However, a historically cold climate disease like Lyme disease moving south is not explained by warming temperatures. I suspect several reasons. First, an increase in the natural vectors for parasites. We have eliminated wolves and reduced other predators, and since we don't hunt small mammals for food anymore there could be an explosion in their population. Even deer, which we continue to hunt, have seen rapid population growth over the last century[1]. Looking at the population minimum from the deer population chart, I suspect that other potential disease vector hosts might have gone through a similar minimum followed by a rebound, and parasites are recovering with them. Second, an increased awareness of these diseases is probably a big factor. I've known many people who have contracted Lyme disease. It used to be a big fight to get a doctor to take the possibility seriously, even in Connecticut where I used to live (the epicenter of Lyme disease)! As of even 5 years ago friends and family of mine could not get a prescription for the required antibiotic until they had a positive test result, which is finicky and allows the disease to progress over the weeks of delay. And Lyme is an incredibly debilitating disease. Diseases like Zika that have much more subtle symptoms (except in babies) could easily go unnoticed. Finally, keep in mind that malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever used to be common in the United States. This is a natural range for these kind of mosquito borne diseases. We used to take mosquito population control much more seriously, perhaps we have become too apathetic about it. How many people do you know that are part of the local mosquito control association? Do you make sure there is no standing water on your property? Do we spray for mosquitos any more? [1] http://www.deerfriendly.com/_/rsrc/1474256275604/decline-of-deer-populations/1450Pop.jpg?height=318&width=400 http://www.deerfriendly.com/_/rsrc/1474256275604/decline-of-...