The ongoing pandemic of Zika virus that is rapidly spreading in the Americas illustrates the challenges of a warmer and more interconnected world. Typically associated with tropical areas, Zika and other mosquito transmitted diseases such as dengue and chikungunya have intensified in North America and other parts of the planet as global flow of people and goods increase, cities grow and weather patterns become altered. This year’s Zika pandemic is of particular concern because it causes microcephaly, a known fetal birth defect, and autoimmune diseases such as Guillian Barré.