Progress in research of impact of climate factor on cholera epidemic

Climate factor has great impact on the incidence and distribution of communicable diseases. The distributional pattern of cholera was characterized by endemicity and seasonality. Climate and environmental factors play a driving role in the epidemic and pandemic of cholera. Time series analysis on the cholera incidence and the mathematical model based cholera dynamics analysis indicated that the climate factor and population immunity levels against cholera are key determinants for cholera epidemic; extreme climate events such as El Nino are closely associated with the incidence of cholera outbreak. This paper summarizes the development on our understanding how climate changes influence the epidemic of cholera from the aspects of epidemiology, ecology, and model based dynamics, emphasizing its significance to cholera control.