Epidemiological survey of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis cases in the municipality of São Luís in the period from 2019 to 2020

Abstract

The objective was to describe the epidemiological profile of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão. To this end, a descriptive study was carried out from 2019 to 2020, using secondary data obtained from the Information System of Notifiable Diseases and provided by the São Luís Zoonoses Surveillance Unit. General and clinical characteristics of the disease were analyzed in cases registered in humans and dogs. The results showed that 78 cases of VL in humans were reported, with the following profile: male (74.36%), mixed race (73.08%), 20 to 29 and 40 to 49 years old (35.90%), incomplete elementary school education (37.18%), urban area (44.87%). Most were new cases (84.62%), with co-infection with the HIV virus (41.03%) and with evolution towards cure (82.50%). Among the dogs, 401 cases were reported, 49.63% male, without defined breed (56.86%), age between 1 and 3 years (38.15%). Most dogs were symptomatic (90.27%), with a prevalence of skin lesions (39.90%) and weight loss (15.96%). It is concluded that VL has a frequent occurrence in the city of São Luís, therefore it is necessary to intensify sanitary measures in particular the education of the local population to reach the desired effect.