ABSTRACT
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change has the potential to alter ecosystem dynamics and wildlife health. Here we show that increasing social connections in response to a hurricane enhanced disease transmission risk for years after the event in a population of rhesus macaques. Our findings reveal that behavioural responses to natural disasters can elevate epidemic risk, thereby threatening wildlife health, population viability, and spillover to humans.
Competing Interest Statement
MLP is a scientific advisory board member, consultant, and/or co-founder of Blue Horizons International, NeuroFlow, Amplio, Cogwear Technologies, Burgeon Labs, and Glassview, and receives research funding from AIIR Consulting, the SEB Group, Mars Inc, Slalom Inc, the Lefkort Family Research Foundation, Sisu Capital, and Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners. All other authors declare no competing interests.
