Urbanization of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in Brazil and appears to occur in epidemic form in the state of Ceará. Few epidemiologic studies have been done on VL in this state. The aim of this study is to establish the epidemiologic pattern of VL in Fortaleza City and to show how urbanization has occurred in recent years.


METHODS
Data were obtained from the State Health Department of Fortaleza, Ceará, and included all cases of VL registered in Fortaleza from January 2001 to December 2006.


RESULTS
There were a marked increase and an elevated incidence of cases of VL in urban areas. Children and young people were the most affected group.


CONCLUSIONS
The epidemic occurrence of VL in the region must convince authorities to adopt more adequate policies of disease control.
Albuquerque
Polianna Lemos Moura Moreira
PL
Hospital Geral César Cals de Oliveira, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. pollylemos@yahoo.com
Silva Júnior
Geraldo Bezerra da
GB
Freire
Caio César Furtado
CC
Oliveira
Stephanie Bachi de Castro
SB
Almeida
Daniel Medeiros
DM
Silva
Herivaldo Ferreira da
HF
Cavalcante
Maria do Socorro
Mdo S
Sousa
Anastácio de Queiroz
Ade Q
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult