Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an expanding zoonosis in Brazil and is becoming urbanized in several Brazilian regions. This study aims to describe the epidemiological features of human and canine VL in the municipality of Montes Claros, State of Minas Gerais, by focusing on their spatial distribution. Data concerning human cases and reactive dogs for VL from 2007 to 2009 were obtained from the Information System for Disease Notification (SINAN) and from reports of the local Centro de Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ), respectively. The addresses of human and canine cases have been georeferenced and localized in thematic maps, allowing their spatial visualization as well as the identification of areas at risk of VL transmission. Ninety-five cases of human VL were reported in the period. The 0-9-year-old age group (48.4%) was the most affected, within which the majority consisted of male patients (64%). Of the samples collected for the canine serological survey, 2,919 (6.3%) were reactive to VL. The spatial localization of these cases shows that the disease was scattered in the urban area of the municipality. Areas showing a higher dissemination risk were concentrated in the central, northwestern, and southern regions of the city. Identifying the areas most at risk in urban Montes Claros may help guide actions toward local epidemiological vigilance and control.
Highlights
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an expanding zoonosis in Brazil and is becoming urbanized in several Brazilian regions
The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiological features of human and canine VL in Montes Claros from 2007 to 2009 in terms of the vigilance surveillance and control actions that were implemented in the period
For the whole period under study, 95 VL human cases were reported in the municipality of Montes Claros, for an average of 32.3 cases per year
Summary
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an expanding zoonosis in Brazil and is becoming urbanized in several Brazilian regions. The addresses of human and canine cases have been georeferenced and localized in thematic maps, allowing their spatial visualization as well as the identification of areas at risk of VL transmission. The spatial localization of these cases shows that the disease was scattered in the urban area of the municipality. Areas showing a higher dissemination risk were concentrated in the central, northwestern, and southern regions of the city. Conclusions: Identifying the areas most at risk in urban Montes Claros may help guide actions toward local epidemiological vigilance and control. VL is a systemic and serious disease that can affect children, youth, adults, and immunodepressed persons. It is characterized by long-lasting fever and other symptoms. The etiological agents of VL are protozoa of the Trypanosomatidae family, Leishmania genus; three species of which may cause the disease: Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani in Asia and Africa; Leishmania (L.) infantum in Asia, Europe, and Africa; and Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in the Americas[4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
