Control of visceral leishmaniasis in the town of Porteirinha, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 1998 to 2003

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 386 - 388
• Main Authors: Barata, Ricardo Andrade, Silva, João Carlos França da, Silva, Jaime Costa da, Almeida, Saulo Neris de, Teixeira, Luciana de Almeida Silva, Dias, Edelberto Santos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 01-05-2011
• Subjects: Animals; Brazil - epidemiology; Cypermethrin; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - prevention & control; Dogs; Humans; Insect Control - methods; Insect Vectors; Insecticides; Insecticides - administration & dosage; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - epidemiology; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - prevention & control; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - veterinary; Psychodidae; Pyrethrins - administration & dosage; Pyrethroids; Vector-borne diseases; Brazil
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822011000300025

In the town of Porteirinha, State of Minas Gerais, 23 human cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in 1998 and 1999 were recorded.
A study was conducted involving the triad of action recommended for the control of VL. Patients were treated and serologically positive dogs were euthanized quarterly. The pyrethroid insecticide α-cypermethrin was applied in the neighborhoods where human cases were recorded.
A reduction in canine seroprevalence and sand flies occurred following the implementation of control measures, reflecting in a reduction in human cases of VL.
The results show the efficiency of such control measures when used in association.