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Objective: To analyze the temporal trend and describe the spatial distribution of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in Fortaleza from 2007 to 2017. Methods: This was an ecological study using segmented temporal regression and thematic mapping.

In June 2019, a horse with neurological disorder was diagnosed with West Nile virus (WNV) in Boa Viagem, a municipality in the state of Ceará, northeast Brazil. A multi-institutional task force coordinated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health was deployed to the area for case investigation. A total of 513 biological samples from 78 humans, 157 domestic animals and 278 free-ranging wild birds, as well as 853 adult mosquitoes of 22 species were tested for WNV by highly specific serological and/or molecular tests. No active circulation of WNV was detected in vertebrates or mosquitoes by molecular methods. Previous exposure to WNV was confirmed by seroconversion in domestic birds and by the detection of specific neutralizing antibodies in 44% (11/25) of equids, 20.9% (14/67) of domestic birds, 4.7% (13/278) of free-ranging wild birds, 2.6% (2/78) of humans, and 1.5% (1/65) of small ruminants. Results indicate that not only equines but also humans and different species of domestic animals and wild birds were locally exposed to WNV. The detection of neutralizing antibodies for WNV in free-ranging individuals of abundant passerine species suggests that birds commonly found in the region may have been involved as amplifying hosts in local transmission cycles of WNV.

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar a tendência temporal e descrever a distribuição espacial da leishmaniose visceral (LV) em Fortaleza, 2007-2017. Métodos: Estudo ecológico, mediante regressão temporal segmentada e mapeamento temático. Resultados: No período 2007-2017, foram confirmados 1.660 casos novos e 97 óbitos. No período 2007-2010, a incidência foi ascendente (variação percentual anual [Annual Percent Change], APC=8,7% - IC95% -3,3;34,1), enquanto a mortalidade (APC=-25,9 - IC95% -48,5; -10,6) e a letalidade (APC=-33,0 - IC95% -53,7;-17,6), descendentes. No período 2010-2015, a incidência reduziu (APC=-15,8 - IC95% -25,1;-4,0), mas a mortalidade (APC=18,7 - IC95% 9,4;50,6) e a letalidade (APC=40,1 - IC95% 22,5;72,0) apresentaram tendência de crescimento. Em 2015-2017, decresceram a incidência (APC=-24,6 - IC95% -36,2;-10,3) e a mortalidade (APC= -44,6 - IC95% -58,8;-17,6); a letalidade se manteve estável (APC=-13,5 - IC95% -38,7;3,8). Houve concentração de bairros com incidência elevada na região oeste da cidade; porém, a mortalidade e a letalidade não apresentaram padrões espaciais definidos. Conclusão: A LV é endêmica em Fortaleza, embora tenha havido declínio no último triênio estudado.

Introduction: This study investigated the spatial distribution of inappropriate post-exposure human rabies procedures in Ceará, Brazil, between 2007 and 2015. Methods: The ecological study population was based on the records of post-exposure human rabies procedures from the Notification Disease Information System. We analyzed the data using the Moran Index (I) and the Moran Local Index. Results: There were 222,036 (95.8%) records with inappropriate post-exposure human rabies procedures. There was heterogeneity in their spatial distribution, with two significant clusters in the northeast and northwest regions. Conclusions: These findings help elaborate differentiated strategies to reduce unnecessary post-exposure human rabies procedures.