Chronic respiratory diseases and respiratory symptoms after a mining dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms, in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after a dam rupture. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of adults (aged 18 years and over) in the municipality. Associations were assessed between dependent variables (medical diagnosis of asthma and COPD; symptoms of wheezing, dry cough, and nose irritation) and exploratory variables (sex, age group, smoking habit, having worked at Vale S.A. company before the dam rupture, time and area of residence in relation to the dam rupture). Logistic regression models with odds ratio (OR) calculation and 95% confidence interval were used. RESULTS: We identified a prevalence of 7.2% of asthma; 3.5% of COPD; 8.8% of wheezing; 23.6% of dry cough; and 31.8% of nose irritation. We observed a greater chance of asthma among women and residents in the affected and mining regions, while a greater chance of COPD was observed in smokers and in those with longer time of residence in the municipality. Among the symptoms, we verified a higher chance of nose irritation among women, while a higher chance of wheezing and dry cough were found among smokers (current and former). Residents of regions affected by the mud reported a greater chance of presenting all the analyzed symptoms. Conversely, level of education was negatively associated with wheezing and dry cough. CONCLUSION: We found respiratory changes and identified the groups most vulnerable to developing them, which could contribute to directing actions to reduce the population's respiratory problems.

Seroprevalence, Prevalence, and Genomic Surveillance: Monitoring the Initial Phases of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Betim, Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented need for epidemiological monitoring using diverse strategies. We conducted a project combining prevalence, seroprevalence, and genomic surveillance approaches to describe the initial pandemic stages in Betim City, Brazil. We collected 3239 subjects in a population-based age-, sex- and neighborhood-stratified, household, prospective; cross-sectional study divided into three surveys 21 days apart sampling the same geographical area. In the first survey, overall prevalence (participants positive in serological or molecular tests) reached 0.46% (90% CI 0.12-0.80%), followed by 2.69% (90% CI 1.88-3.49%) in the second survey and 6.67% (90% CI 5.42-7.92%) in the third. The underreporting reached 11, 19.6, and 20.4 times in each survey. We observed increased odds to test positive in females compared to males (OR 1.88 95% CI 1.25-2.82), while the single best predictor for positivity was ageusia/anosmia (OR 8.12, 95% CI 4.72-13.98). Thirty-five SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced, of which 18 were classified as lineage B.1.1.28, while 17 were B.1.1.33. Multiple independent viral introductions were observed. Integration of multiple epidemiological strategies was able to adequately describe COVID-19 dispersion in the city. Presented results have helped local government authorities to guide pandemic management.

Chronic respiratory diseases and respiratory symptoms after a mining dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project / Doenças respiratórias crônicas e sintomas respiratórios após rompimento de barragem de mineração: Projeto Saúde Brumadinho

ABSTRACT: Objective: To identify factors associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms, in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after a dam rupture. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of adults (aged 18 years and over) in the municipality. Associations were assessed between dependent variables (medical diagnosis of asthma and COPD; symptoms of wheezing, dry cough, and nose irritation) and exploratory variables (sex, age group, smoking habit, having worked at Vale S.A. company before the dam rupture, time and area of residence in relation to the dam rupture). Logistic regression models with odds ratio (OR) calculation and 95% confidence interval were used. Results: We identified a prevalence of 7.2% of asthma; 3.5% of COPD; 8.8% of wheezing; 23.6% of dry cough; and 31.8% of nose irritation. We observed a greater chance of asthma among women and residents in the affected and mining regions, while a greater chance of COPD was observed in smokers and in those with longer time of residence in the municipality. Among the symptoms, we verified a higher chance of nose irritation among women, while a higher chance of wheezing and dry cough were found among smokers (current and former). Residents of regions affected by the mud reported a greater chance of presenting all the analyzed symptoms. Conversely, level of education was negatively associated with wheezing and dry cough. Conclusion: We found respiratory changes and identified the groups most vulnerable to developing them, which could contribute to directing actions to reduce the population's respiratory problems.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Identificar fatores associados a asma, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) e sintomas respiratórios em Brumadinho (MG), após rompimento de barragem. Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra representativa de adultos. Verificaram-se associações entre variáveis dependentes (diagnóstico médico de asma e DPOC e os sintomas chiado no peito, tosse seca e irritação nasal) e variáveis exploratórias (sexo, faixa etária, tabagismo, ter trabalhado na Vale S.A. antes do rompimento da barragem, tempo e área de residência em relação ao rompimento da barragem). Modelos de regressão logística com cálculo da odds ratio e intervalo de confiança de 95% foram empregados. Resultados: Identificou-se prevalência de asma de 7,2%, de DPOC de 3,5%, de chiado no peito de 8,8%, de tosse seca de 23,6% e de irritação nasal de 31,8%. Maior chance de asma foi observada no sexo feminino e nos residentes em área diretamente atingida pela lama e área de mineração, enquanto maior chance de DPOC foi vista nos fumantes e naqueles com maior tempo de residência no município. Entre os sintomas, maior chance de irritação nasal foi observada no sexo feminino, e de chiado no peito e tosse seca em fumantes (atuais e no passado). Residentes em área atingida pela lama relataram maior chance de apresentarem todos os sintomas analisados. Já a escolaridade apresentou associação negativa com chiado no peito e tosse seca. Conclusão: O estudo mostrou alterações respiratórias e identificou os grupos com maior vulnerabilidade para desenvolvê-las, podendo contribuir com o direcionamento de ações para a redução de problemas respiratórios da população.

Monitoring respiratory virus infection in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2011-2013. / Monitoramento de vírus respiratórios na região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, 2011 a 2013.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the circulation of respiratory viruses in people living in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and hospitalized in Belo Horizonte from 2011 to 2013. METHODS: this is a descriptive study of 5,158 patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; a comparison was made between the characteristics of confirmed cases and those of discarded cases or cases without swab samples. RESULTS: Influenza A virus accounted for half the isolated viruses, especially subtype A(H1N1)pdm09 among patients aged 20-59 years old, and subtype A(H3N2) in those aged 60 or over; the most frequently identified respiratory virus among children under five years old was respiratory syncytial virus (65.6%), followed by influenza A virus (21.2%); influenza virus circulated in all seasons of the year and its periods of greatest incidence were interspersed with those of higher Respiratory Syncytial Virus activity. CONCLUSION: monitoring respiratory viruses contributes to knowledge about periods of virus circulation and the adoption of specific control measures.

Monitoramento de vírus respiratórios na região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, 2011 a 2013 / Monitoreo de vírus respiratórios en la región metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, 2011-2013 / Monitoring respiratory virus infection in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2011-2013

OBJETIVO: analisar a circulação dos vírus respiratórios em residentes na região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Brasil, hospitalizados em Belo Horizonte, de 2011 a 2013. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo de 5.158 indivíduos com síndrome respiratória aguda grave; foram comparadas as características dos casos confirmados com casos descartados ou sem coleta de swab. RESULTADOS: metade dos vírus isolados foi da influenza A, especialmente os subtipos A(H1N1)pdm09 em pessoas de 20-59 anos e A(H3N2) naquelas com 60 anos ou mais; crianças menores de cinco anos tiveram identificado, com maior frequência, o vírus sincicial respiratório (65,6%), seguido pelo vírus da influenza A (21,2%); o vírus da influenza circulou em todas as estações do ano, e seus períodos de maior incidência intercalaram-se com os de maior atividade do vírus sincicial respiratório. CONCLUSÃO: o monitoramento dos vírus respiratórios contribui para o conhecimento dos períodos de circulação viral e a adoção de medidas de controle específicas.

OBJETIVOS: analizar la circulación de virus respiratorios en residentes de la región metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Brasil, hospitalizados entre 2011 y 2013. MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo de 5.158 individuos con infección respiratoria aguda grave; fueron comparadas las características de los casos confirmados con los descartados o sin colecta de swab. RESULTADOS: la mitad de los virus aislados fueron influenza A, especialmente subtipos A(H1N1)pdm09 en personas entre 20-59 años, y A(H3N2) en personas de 60 años o más; los niños menores de cinco años presentaron, con mayor frecuencia, el virus sincicial respiratorio (65,6%), seguido por influenza tipo A (21,2%); el virus de la Influenza circuló en todas las estaciones y los periodos de mayor incidencia se intercalaron con los de mayor actividad del virus sincicial. CONCLUSIÓN: el monitoriamente del virus respiratorio contribuyo para el conocimiento de los periodos de circulación viral y la adopción de medidas de control específicas.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the circulation of respiratory viruses in people living in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and hospitalized in Belo Horizonte from 2011 to 2013. METHODS: this is a descriptive study of 5,158 patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; a comparison was made between the characteristics of confirmed cases and those of discarded cases or cases without swab samples. RESULTS: Influenza A virus accounted for half the isolated viruses, especially subtype A(H1N1)pdm09 among patients aged 20-59 years old, and subtype A(H3N2) in those aged 60 or over; the most frequently identified respiratory virus among children under five years old was respiratory syncytial virus (65.6%), followed by influenza A virus (21.2%); influenza virus circulated in all seasons of the year and its periods of greatest incidence were interspersed with those of higher Respiratory Syncytial Virus activity. CONCLUSION: monitoring respiratory viruses contributes to knowledge about periods of virus circulation and the adoption of specific control measures.