Weather patterns can often be a key factor in finding out when an epidemic is imminent because they determine the conditions for germs and their carriers to breed.

The techniques can help quicken the response to viral outbreaks worldwide and health disasters like Europe’s devastating 2003 heat wave — and global warming is adding urgency to such strategies for fighting disease.

[Read](http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/01/23/weather_hea.html?category=health&guid=20070123150030&dcitc=w19-502-ak-0000 “Read the Story”)(AP via The Discovery Channel)