[Entomological surveillance for Chagas disease in the mid-western region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 2000 to 2003].
In Minas Gerais State, Brazil, after the elimination of Triatoma infestans by the Brazilian Chagas Disease Control Program, some triatomine species, such as Panstrongylus megistus, have merited the attention of entomological surveillance authorities. After the decentralization of the Brazilian health system, certain administrative and operational difficulties have been observed in some municipalities (counties). This study aims to evaluate entomological surveillance for Chagas disease in the 54 municipalities supervised by the Division of Decentralized Health Activities in Divinopolis, Minas Gerais, from 2000 to 2003. In 46 municipalities, 1,531 triatomines were captured, of which 94.1% were P. megistus. The infection rate for T. cruzi in the vectors was 1.3%. A total of 850 reports were received and 835 site visits were conducted, showing that the program is active and efficient in the majority of the municipalities analyzed. The importance of the maintenance and improvement of entomological surveillance in the region was demonstrated, since triatomine bugs continue to invade (and can colonize) the domiciliary environment, although with low density.
Villela
Marcos M
MM
Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. villela@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
Souza
Janice B
JB
Mello
Vicente P
VP
Azeredo
Bernardino Vaz de Melo
BV
Dias
João Carlos P
JC
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D010203:Panstrongylus / Q000145:classification; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014225:Triatominae / Q000145:classification