Challenges and Strategies for the Development and Implementation of Climate-Informed Early Warning Systems for Vector-Borne Diseases - A Systematic Review

Sep 30, 2026

Vector-borne diseases intensified by climate change create an escalating global health threat, requiring surveillance systems that can anticipate outbreaks and support timely action. This systematic review synthesizes challenges and strategies for developing and operationalizing climate-informed early warning systems for vector-borne diseases. Using PRISMA-guided database searches and manual screening up to 05 November 2024, it selects eleven studies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Climate change and vector-borne disease burden

Components and functions of early warning systems

Funding and Acknowledgements

References and Licensing

Tropical Medicine & International Health SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OPEN ACCESS Challenges and Strategies for the Development and Implementation of Climate-Informed Early Warning Systems for Vector-Borne Diseases: A Systematic Review Cong Tuan Pham1 | Ha Thu Nguyen1,2 | Hong H. T. C. Le3 | Nu Quy Linh Tran3 | Kien Quoc Do3,4 | Vinh Bui5 | Hai Phung1 | Dung Phung3 | Cordia Chu1 1Centre for Environment and Population Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | 2School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam | 3School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | 4Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Pasteur Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | 5Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Correspondence: Cong Tuan Pham ([tuan.pham@griffith.edu.au](tuan.pham@griffith.edu.au)) Received: 13 March 2025 | Revised: 28 July 2025 | Accepted: 18 September 2025 Funding: This study was supported by the Wellcome Trust (226474/Z/22/Z) . Keywords: challenges and strategies | climate-informed early warning systems | vector-borne diseases ABSTRACT Background: Vector-borne diseases, exacerbated by climate change, present an escalating global health threat, necessitating robust surveillance and climate-informed early warning systems to predict outbreaks and enable timely interventions. This systematic review aims to synthesise the challenges and strategies involved in developing and operationalising early warning systems for vector-borne diseases. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase) and performed a manual search using predefined keywords up to 05 November 2024. Eleven papers were selected for the reviewing process. Results: While early warning systems show significant promise in enhancing outbreak prediction and guiding timely public health interventions, several key challenges persist. Inadequate data quality and integration—characterised by fragmented epidemiological, entomological and meteorological datasets—compromise predictive accuracy. The review also highlights gaps in stakeholder engagement and capacity building. Without comprehensive training and active collaboration among public health officials, climate scientists and data analysts, the practical application and sustainability of these systems are undermined. Enhancing data harmonisation through standardised collection processes and integration protocols is crucial for improving model reliability. The adoption of scalable, cloud-based platforms can mitigate technical and infrastructural limitations by enabling real-time data processing and robust computational capabilities. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations—bringing together experts from diverse fields—can refine predictive models and ensure that system outputs are both accurate and actionable. Furthermore, tailored capacity-building initiatives are vital for empowering local authorities to effectively interpret and implement early warning systems' warning signals. Finally, optimising communication strategies by simplifying technical outputs and developing user-friendly interfaces can bridge the gap between complex predictive analytics and practical decisionmaking processes. | Sustainable Development Goal: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Climate Action; No Poverty; Good Health and Wellbeing | | --- | | This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
© 2025 The Author(s) . Tropical Medicine & International Health published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. | 10 Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2026; 31:10–21 [https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.7

FAQs

What is the main goal of this systematic review?

To synthesise the challenges and strategies involved in developing and operationalising climate-informed early warning systems for vector-borne diseases.

How were studies identified and selected?

The review followed PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase and conducting a manual search using predefined keywords up to 05 November 2024; eleven papers were selected.

What challenges limit the predictive accuracy and sustainability of early warning systems?

Inadequate data quality and integration from fragmented epidemiological, entomological, and meteorological datasets, along with gaps in stakeholder engagement and capacity building, reduce real-world applicability and continuity.

Sep 30, 2026

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