Schistosomiasis control in Brazil

Abstract

In 1975 the Special Programme for Schistosomiasis Control was introduced in

Acute schistosomiasis outbreak in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais: alert about the risk of unnoticed transmission increased by growing rural tourism

“…From the public health point of view, one may argue that the current system of disease control and prevention is insufficient to avoid such occurrences. Current strategies, mainly based on chemotherapy and molluscicide application, produced a significant decrease in prevalence and mortality during the past 20 years (Katz 1998). However, a lot of positive non-symptomatic carriers escaped.…”

“…In the state of Minas Gerais, schistosomiasis mansoni is prevalent in 519 out of 853 municipalities, with an estimated number of 1,000,000 infected people in an area of 300 000 km² (Katz 1998). More recent estimates, based on data from Fundação Nacional de Saúde and Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, were described as probably not reflecting the true situation since the population sample used was not originally selected for this purpose (Katz & Peixoto 2000).…”

Epidemiological and control aspects of schistosomiasis in Brazilian endemic areas

“…More recently, Katz (1992, 1998) Coura et al (1992, Bina (1992) Barbosa and Coimbra Jr. (1992), Kloetzel (1992), Barbosa (1995), and Coura (1995) reviewed the epidemiological situation and suggested controlling actions for disease in Brazil, while Hiroshi Kano (1992) and Amaral and Porto (1994) analyzed the controlling actions adopted by National Health Foundation (Fundação Nacional de Saúde -Funasa).…”

Genetic Population Structure of Cercariae from an Urban Foci of Schistosoma mansoni, Brazil

“…In this country, the parasite infects 2-6 million persons in 9 states despite 30 years of control programs. 1 Since 2008, it has been responsible for 400-500 hospitalizations per year and a highly prevalent but poorly measured chronic burden of disease. [2][3][4] In addition, it contributes to 500 deaths each year (http:// portal.saude.gov.br/portal/arquivos/pdf/obitos_1990_2008_ 06_04_11.pdf).…”