RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Brazil and appears to occur in epidemic form in the state of Ceará. Few epidemiologic studies have been done on VL in this state. The aim of this study is to establish the epidemiologic pattern of VL in Fortaleza City and to show how urbanization has occurred in recent years. METHODS: Data were obtained from the State Health Department of Fortaleza, Ceará, and included all cases of VL registered in Fortaleza from January 2001 to December 2006. RESULTS: There were a marked increase and an elevated incidence of cases of VL in urban areas. Children and young people were the most affected group. CONCLUSION: The epidemic occurrence of VL in the region must convince authorities to adopt more adequate policies of disease control.
OBJETIVOS: La leishmaniasis visceral (LV) es endémica en Brasil y suele ocurrir en forma epidémica en el estado de Ceará. Se han realizado pocos estudios epidemiológicos sobre LV en ese estado. El objetivo de este estudio es establecer el patrón epidemiológico de LV en la ciudad de Fortaleza y mostrar cómo ha ocurrido la urbanización de esta enfermedad en los últimos años. MÉTODOS: Los datos se obtuvieron del Departamento Estatal de Salud de Fortaleza, Ceará, y abarcaron todos los casos de LV registrados en esa ciudad entre enero de 2001 y diciembre de 2006. RESULTADOS: Se observó un marcado incremento y una elevada incidencia de LV en las áreas urbanas. Los niños y jóvenes fueron los grupos más afectados. CONCLUSIÓN: La ocurrencia de epidemias de LV en la región debe convencer a las autoridades para que adopten políticas más apropiadas para el control de esta enfermedad.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Lactente , Pré-Escolar , Criança , Adolescente , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Adulto Jovem , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Saúde da População Urbana , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Brazil and appears to occur in epidemic form in the state of Ceará. Few epidemiologic studies have been done on VL in this state. The aim of this study is to establish the epidemiologic pattern of VL in Fortaleza City and to show how urbanization has occurred in recent years. METHODS: Data were obtained from the State Health Department of Fortaleza, Ceará, and included all cases of VL registered in Fortaleza from January 2001 to December 2006. RESULTS: There were a marked increase and an elevated incidence of cases of VL in urban areas. Children and young people were the most affected group. CONCLUSION: The epidemic occurrence of VL in the region must convince authorities to adopt more adequate policies of disease control.