Aspectos climáticos em áreas de transmissão de hantavirose no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of reported hantavirus cases in São Paulo State, Brazil (n = 80), from 1993 to 2005 and identify local climatic patterns during this period. Kernel point estimation of density was used to show the highest concentrations in Ribeirão Preto, São Carlos, Franca, Tupi Paulista, and Greater São Paulo. Increase in the number of cases during this period suggests disease dissemination even when considering increased diagnostic capacity and higher sensitivity of the health services. There was a marked seasonal variation in hantavirus in the cerrado (savannah) areas; the common pattern is a higher incidence in drier months as compared to mean levels in the last 40 years. These coincide with periods of high rodent food source levels in grains, sugarcane, and other crops. Harvesting and storing grains increases human exposure to rodents. Climatic indicators together with ecological variables can be local transmission risk markers and should receive more attention in epidemiological monitoring and control of the disease.

Ten years of a hantavirus disease emergency in the Federal District, Brazil

“…The DF climate is characterized by two seasons: rainy and dry (19) . The peak incidence of HPS was reported during the dry and cold season, which was also observed in a presumably descriptive study in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais that included only 23 cases during an 8-year period (32) and in the State of São Paulo, as reported using a sophisticated scientifi c method (33) . In contrast, a seasonal pattern was not found in another study of Brazilian geographical regions (BGRs) (26) .…”

Diagnosis of hantavirus infection in humans and rodents in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil

“…This may have been related to the fact that the dry season from May to September 2007 was exceptionally hot and dry. Donalisio et al 16 observed that the rainfall in inland municipalities in the state of São Paulo in 2007 was low. This weather pattern may have brought hungry wild rodent populations closer to humans in rural areas, looking for harvested grains and other kinds of food.…”

Successes and failures in the control of infectious diseases in Brazil: social and environmental context, policies, interventions, and research needs

“…Finally, changes in urban and rural environments were associated with emergence of new infectious diseases (eg, Brazilian haemorrhagic fever, hantaviruses). [20][21][22] Diseases that were previously well controlled were reintroduced to Brazil (dengue 17 ) or underwent epidemiological changes that compromised their eff ective control (visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases, 13 hepatitis C 23 ). 24 Reductions in mortality from some diseases were not always accompanied by reduction in incidence; tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are still a public health problem in many regions of the country, despite substantial decreases in mortality rates since the mid-1990s.…”