Schistosomiasis is a public health problem with economic consequences in endemic areas. Cabo Verde is an insular country with no registry of schistosomiasis. In May 2022, a patient was reported with S. haematobium in urinalysis. An investigation was conducted to confirm diagnostic and outbreak, transmission sources to prevent additional illness. Two studies were conducted. First, using the snowball approach, starting with the first case identified. Second, using retrospective medical records. Suspected, confirmed, and discarded case definitions for urinary schistosomiasis (SCHu) were adopted. Interviews and urine samples were collected. An environmental investigation was conducted to identify the host snail. Identified 10 suspected cases, 8 (72.7%) were confirmed, the median age of 15 years (range: 7-24), all male with hematuria, living in a small community. In Schu's cases interviewed, 4(57.1%) walked barefoot in water and 3(75%) swam in water tanks. In a retrospective study, 28,702 medical records were evaluated, from which 49 suspected SCHu cases, 23(47%) interviewed, 19(82.6%) negatives, and 4(17.4%) did not collect samples. This is the first schistosomiasis record in Cabo Verde. The infection mechanism remains unknown as the specific reservoir was not found (Bulinus). We recommend epidemiological inspections and environmental assessment in communities to elucidate SCHu source transmission.

O desfecho da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 não se associa apenas à idade e a comorbidades, mas também agrava-se por vulnerabilidade social. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar, segundo vulnerabilidade social, a sobrevida e a letalidade hospitalar por COVID-19 para os primeiros 100 dias entre sintomas até o óbito em indivíduos de 50 anos ou mais hospitalizados no Brasil. Trata-se de uma coorte retrospectiva das Semanas Epidemiológicas 11, de 2020, a 33, de 2021. O Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe (SIVEP-Gripe) forneceu dados clínico-epidemiológicos. O Índice Socioeconômico do Contexto Geográfico para Estudos em Saúde (GeoSES) mensurou vulnerabilidade social. Para sobrevida, utilizou-se a curva de Kaplan-Meier e o modelo ajustado de riscos proporcionais de Cox, com hazard ratio (HR) e intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%). Dentre os 410.504 casos, a letalidade geral foi de 42,2%, sendo 51,4% os indivíduos mais vulneráveis. Por faixa etária, registra-se a presença de maior letalidade para os piores status socioeconômicos em todas as categorias; para 50-59 anos, registra-se o dobro. O modelo ajustado de Cox mostrou aumento de 32% de risco para óbito (HR = 1,32; IC95%: 1,24-1,42). Ademais, homens, idosos, pretos ou indígenas, com múltiplas comorbidades e submetidos à ventilação invasiva apresentam maior risco de óbito após hospitalização. É necessário que medidas políticas intersetoriais sejam direcionadas para mitigar os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 agravados pela vulnerabilidade social.

The outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection is not only associated with age and comorbidities but is also aggravated by social vulnerability. This study aims to analyze - according to social vulnerability - survival and hospital lethality by COVID-19 in the first 100 days from symptoms to death in individuals aged 50 years or older hospitalized in Brazil. This is a retrospective cohort from Epidemiological Week 11 of 2020 to week 33 of 2021. The Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (SIVEP-Gripe) provided clinical and epidemiological data. The Geographic Index of the Socioeconomic Context for Health and Social Studies (GeoSES) measured social vulnerability. The Kaplan-Meier curve and the adjusted proportional risk model by Cox were used for survival, with hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Among the 410,504 cases, overall lethality was of 42.2% in general and 51.4% in the most vulnerable. We found a higher lethality according to worse socioeconomic status in all categories by age group; the double is registered for 50-59 years. The adjusted Cox model showed a 32% increase in risk of death (HR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.24-1.42). Moreover, men, older adults, black or indigenous adults, with multiple comorbidities, and subjected to invasive ventilation, have a higher risk of death after hospitalization. Intersectoral policy measures need to be targeted to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated by social vulnerability.

Domestic rats are the principal reservoir for urban leptospirosis. However, few studies have identified infestation markers in slums and evaluated their predictivity for leptospirosis risk. We compared households with leptospirosis cases in Salvador, Brazil between 2007 and 2009 and their neighbors using a case control design, surveying for rodent infestation signs and environmental characteristics. With the 2007-2008 data, a conditional logistic regression modeling identified the peridomiciliar presence of rodent burrows (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.50-7.26), rat feces (2.86; 1.24-6.59), runs (2.57; 1.06-6.22), households bordering abandoned houses (2.48; 1.04-6.02), and unplastered walls (2.22; 1.02-6.02) as risk factors and developed a predictive score for leptospirosis. With an independent data set from 2009, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated the prediction score performance, with the area under the curve being 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64-0.76) for score development and 0.71 (0.65-0.79) for validation. Results indicate that high proportions of urban slum households are infested with R. norvegicus. The score performed well when identifying high-risk households within slums. These findings need confirmation in other urban centers, but suggest that community-based screening for rodent infestation can allow to target rodent and environmental control measures in populations at highest risk for leptospirosis.

Background and Objectives:Rickettsia rickettsii is a pathogen that is known to cause spotted fever, a zoonosis that is endemic in several regions of the Americas. However, no systematic review and meta-analysis has been conducted to estimate the prevalence of this rickettsial disease in the Americas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of R. rickettsii in ticks in the Americas. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed and data were retrieved from four electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, and Directory of Open Access Journals. The pooled prevalence and heterogeneity were determined using a random-effects model and using Cochran's Q test and I2 index, respectively. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's method. Results: The pooled prevalence of R. rickettsii in ticks was highest in Colombia (17.00%; confidence interval [95% CI]: 7.01-30.24), followed by Mexico (9.89%; 95% CI: 2.03-22.74), Panama (2.76%; 95% CI: 0.45-6.93), Brazil (2.03%; 95% CI: 0.66-4.14), and the United States (0.50%; 95% CI: 0.15-1.05). The tick species most frequently infected by R. rickettsii were Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (6.23%; 95% CI: 2.79-10.92) and Amblyomma mixtum (4.36%; 95% CI: 0.25-13.14). Interpretation and Conclusion: It can be suggested that studies aiming to identify the potential vectors of R. rickettsii should be conducted more intensively to better understand the epidemiology of spotted fever in the Americas.

Objetivo: aplicar o Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social para o Distrito Federal e compará-lo com a distribuição espacial da cobertura dos Núcleos Ampliados de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica. Método: trata-se de estudo ecológico com base nos dados do censo demográfico, da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Distrito Federal, bem como de outros disponibilizados pela Gerência de Apoio à Saúde da Família. Resultados: verificou-se que 31,4% dos setores censitários do Distrito Federal foram classificados com baixo nível de vulnerabilidade social, 47,8% médio, 12,2% elevado e 8,3% muito elevado. Apenas 37,17% do território do cenário de estudo apresentavam cobertura Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica. Ao comparar a distribuição espacial desses desfechos, observou-se elevada extensão de vazios assistenciais de cobertura desse serviço, tanto em setores rurais quanto urbanos, e estes frequentemente classificados em maior estrato de vulnerabilidade. Conclusão: Recomenda-se a utilização de ferramentas de gestão de políticas públicas, como o Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social, para o redesenho da Rede de Atenção à Saúde, tendo em vista o enfrentamento das iniquidades sociais.Descritores: Vulnerabilidade Social; Atenção Primária à Saúde; Saúde da Família; Enfermagem; Sistemas de Informação Geográfica

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a highly lethal disease caused by Rickettsia spp. and is transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma. Understanding the epidemiology of BSF in each region can help direct health surveillance actions. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of vectors and the incidence of BSF in the state of São Paulo. Spatial analysis included confirmed BSF cases between 2009 and 2019; occurrences were registered by municipalities of the state. There were 752 confirmed BSF cases, with incidences ranging between 0.01 and 10.37/10,000 inhabitants. Moran's Global Index for BSF was 0.20 (p = .001), which was indicative of spatial dependence. Moran's map located a cluster of 20 high priority municipalities for BSF and showed that Amblyomma sculptum is the vector involved in Rickettsia rickettsii transmission in these locations. Spatial analysis identified clusters formed by 47, 20 and seven significant municipalities for the presence of A. sculptum, Amblyomma aureolatum and Amblyomma ovale vectors, respectively. Surveillance and prevention actions are necessary in areas that are at high risk for BSF and in areas where the presence of vectors was significant.

Objetivos: analisar o impacto das políticas de distanciamento social sobre a propagação da COVID-19 e a necessidade de leitos de unidades de terapia intensiva. Métodos: com um modelo compartimental de transição dinâmica e simulações de Monte Carlo foram construídos cenários de propagação de acordo com o nível de adesão das medidas de distanciamento social no contexto do Distrito Federal, Brasil. Os valores dos parâmetros foram baseados em fontes oficiais, bases indexadas e repositórios públicos de dados. Resultados: a manutenção da adesão ao nível de 58% de isolamento foi o único cenário favorável, com um pico de até 792 (IQR: 447 a 1.262) internações em UTI entre 05/11/2020 e 15/01/2021. A ausência do distanciamento implicaria um pico de até 7.331 (IQR: 5.427 a 9.696) internações em UTI. Conclusão: as projeções corroboram o efeito positivo das medidas de distanciamento social e a aplicabilidade de indicadores no seu monitoramento.

Resumo Objetivo: Construir cenários e analisar o impacto das políticas de distanciamento social na propagação da COVID-19 e a necessidade de leitos de unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI). Métodos: Sobre modelo compartimental de transição dinâmica e simulações de Monte Carlo, construíram-se três cenários de propagação conforme o nível de adesão às medidas de distanciamento social no Distrito Federal, Brasil. Os valores dos parâmetros do modelo fundamentaram-se em fontes oficiais, bases com indexação bibliográfica e repositórios públicos de dados. Resultados: O cenário favorável, com manutenção constante de 58% de adesão ao distanciamento social, estimou pico de 189 (intervalo interquartil [IIQ]: 57 a 394) internações-UTI em 7/3/2021. A ausência do distanciamento implicaria grave cenário, com pico de 6.214 (IIQ: 4.618 a 8.415) internações-UTI já na data provável de 14/7/2020. Conclusão: as projeções indicam alto impacto das medidas de distanciamento social e reforçam a aplicabilidade de indicadores públicos no monitoramento da COVID-19.

Bovine brucellosis, a zoonotic disease endemic to Brazil, is a serious public health problem. It is a notifiable disease that, like tuberculosis, is regulated through a national control and eradication program. The epidemiological status of bovine brucellosis must be characterized in order to direct measures aimed at controlling the disease. This study focused on analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of bovine brucellosis in Brazil. An ecological and time series study was conducted based on secondary data reported by the National Animal Health Information System for cases of bovine brucellosis diagnosed in Brazil (2014 - 2018). The gross and average incidence rate of brucellosis was estimated per state. Joinpoint regression was applied to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) in incidence and to identify states with significant trend changes. Spatial analysis of animals with brucellosis was performed using Kernel density estimation. A total of 19,631 animals with bovine brucellosis were confirmed, and the average incidence rate varied from 0.03 to 33.93/100,000 cattle in Brazil. The highest density of positive animals was found in the states of Santa Catarina and Paraná, which can be considered areas of greater transmission of Brucella abortus. Reductions in gross incidence rates were observed in Paraná (APC: -13.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -20.3 – -5.4; p=0.01), Rondônia (APC: -44.7; 95%CI: -62.0 - -19.4; p=0.01), Mato Grosso do Sul (APC: -59.0; 95%CI: -77.7 - -24.5; p=0.01), Acre (APC: -40.0; 95%CI: -50.0 - -28.0; p=0.00), and Ceará (APC: -37.9; 95%CI: -50.9 - -21.4; p=0.00). The incidence rate significantly increased in Tocantins (APC: 122.1; 95%CI: 4.5 - 372.2; p=0.04). The findings of this study will be helpful in guiding surveillance and prevention measures aimed at reducing the incidence of bovine brucellosis in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE:To build scenarios and analyze the impact of social distancing policies on the spread of COVID-19 and the need for intensive care unit beds.METHODS:Three dissemination scenarios were built according to level of adherence to social distancing measures in the context of Brazil's Federal District, based on a dynamic transition compartmental model and Monte Carlo simulations. The model's parameter values were based on official sources, indexed bibliographic databases and public data repositories.RESULTS:The favorable scenario, with constant 58% adherence to social distancing, estimated a peak of 189 (interquartile range [IQR]: 57 - 394) ICU hospitalizations on March 3rd2021. Absence of social distancing would result in an unfavorable scenario with a peak of 6,214 (IQR: 4,618 - 8,415) ICU hospitalizations probably as soon as July 14th2020.CONCLUSION:The projections indicate the high impact of social distancing measures and emphasize the applicability of public indicators for COVID-19 monitoring.

INTRODUCTION: The use of mass gatherings as spaces to practice health surveillance has been growing in recent years. In Mozambique, the 9th National Festival of Culture in 2016 was selected for this practice. A specific public health surveillance system to facilitate rapid detection of outbreaks and other health-related events was implemented for this event with real time data collection and analysis. METHODS: a descriptive epidemiological evaluation of all the health consultations that occurred in fixed posts prepared for the event was conducted. The data were collected through electronic mobile system (tablets) in real time, with the aid of a form designed for this purpose and sent directly to the incident command system (ICS). RESULTS: during the event, a total of 355 patients were assisted, 52.3% were female, 87.0% were from Beira City, and the artists were the group that most frequently sought health care at 59.4%. The largest number of visits took place on the third day (36.4%). People over 45 years of age were the age group that most frequently sought health care (30.8%). The main provisional diagnoses of those who were attended to during the festival was arterial hypertension (20.3%), followed by febrile syndrome (19.0%), with falls being the most frequent causes of trauma during the festival (60.0%). CONCLUSION: the system of monitoring in real time using mobile technologies proved to be efficient for the monitoring of the main health events during the mass gatherings. This profile of health consultations encourages the health sector to plan strategies and actions geared to the reality of care for this type of event.

Resumo O Sistema de Informação de Vigilância da Qualidade da Água para Consumo Humano (Sisagua) é um instrumento utilizado no Brasil para registro das formas de abastecimento de água e dos dados de monitoramento da qualidade da água preconizados na norma de potabilidade. Essas informações são utilizadas no gerenciamento de riscos à saúde associados ao abastecimento de água no país e subsidiam a atuação da vigilância da qualidade da água para consumo humano, a estruturação de políticas públicas na área de saúde ambiental e saneamento, a prevenção de doenças de veiculação hídrica, e a caracterização da qualidade da água consumida pela população brasileira. Este artigo descreve o histórico do Sisagua e apresenta as principais características da atual versão (Sisagua 4) em relação à coleta e processamento dos dados, às variáveis, aos usos e acessos, à cobertura e qualidade dos dados, bem como focaliza as aplicabilidades, as limitações e os desafios do sistema.

The Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Information System (SISAGUA) is an instrument used in Brazil to record forms of water supply and water quality monitoring data recommended by the potable water standard. This information is used in the management of health risks associated with water supply in the country and supports the surveillance of drinking water quality, the structuring of public policies in the area of environmental health and sanitation, the prevention of waterborne diseases, and the characterization of the quality of water consumed by the Brazilian population. This article describes the history of SISAGUA and presents the main features of its current version (SISAGUA 4) regarding data collection and processing, variables, uses and accesses, data coverage and quality, as well as the system's applicability, limitations and challenges.

Introducción: las tecnologías móviles por su fácil uso y gran difusión se han convertido en una herramienta importante en salud pública, permitiendo identificar brotes de manera temprana como complemento de la vigilancia tradicional. El objetivo fue analizar los datos de una aplicación móvil para detectar rápidamente enfermedades de interés en salud pública relacionadas con la visita del Papa Francisco a Colombia. Métodos: se utilizó vigilancia participativa por medio de la aplicación móvil Guardianes de la Salud, implementada para Colombia en dispositivos Android, adaptada del desarrollo de Proepi y Ministerio de Salud de Brasil para los Juegos Olímpicos de Rio de Janeiro 2014. Se interrogó sobre 20 síntomas que permitían detectar síndromes respiratorios, febriles, gastrointestinales, exantémicos e ictéricos, relacionados con eventos de interés en salud pública. Se preguntaba por antecedentes de viaje y contacto con otros enfermos. Se monitorearon los datos durante los días de visita del Papa al país y hasta siete días después. Resultados: se recibieron 936 reportes, 60,2% (283) fueron de Bogotá, 23,0% (215) del departamento del Meta y 22,0% (206) de Antioquia, se recibieron también reportes de otros países como Brasil (21), Estados Unidos, Panamá (3), Chile (2) y Costa Rica (1). El 55,1% (516) fueron mujeres, el promedio de edad fue 39 años (D.E. 12,3). El 8,5% (80) reportaron su estado de salud mal, siendo el principal síntoma dolor de cabeza en el 41,3% (33), seguido de malestar 40,0% (32) y congestión nasal 38,8% (31). El 53,7% (43) de los reportes estuvieron asociados a alguno de los síndromes priorizados, siendo el principal el febril en 22 casos y gastrointestinal en 11. Conclusión: no se detectaron conglomerados de casos de importancia en salud pública. La herramienta permitió involucrar al público general en la notificación de su estado de salud. Es necesario promover el uso de esta aplicación ya que medida que aumenta el número de usuarios, también aumenta la sensibilidad que brinda el monitoreo ampliado de la vigilancia participativa.

Resumo A Constituição Federal de 1988 introduziu o Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) possibilitando a inclusão de pessoas com deficiência. Estudo descritivo, com dados municipais agregados, da distribuição temporal e geográfica da incidência de microcefalia relacionada ao Zika vírus no Brasil e dados das concessões de BPC a crianças com diagnóstico de microcefalia. Apresentam-se dados sobre a demanda e a concessão do BPC para crianças com microcefalia desde 2009. Os casos de microcefalia e/ou alteração do sistema nervoso central foram obtidos do Ministério da Saúde e totalizaram 2.366 casos confirmados de 01/01/2015 a 31/12/2016. A série histórica da concessão de BPC de 2009 a 2016 foi elaborada a partir de dados do Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social e mostrou, até 2014, uma linha de base com a média de 200 benefícios anuais para crianças menores de 48 meses com microcefalia. Em 2016 as concessões aumentaram oito vezes atingindo 1.603 benefícios concedidos a crianças de 731 municípios, das 27 Unidades da Federação. A Região Nordeste concentrou 73% dos BPC concedidos, mas, ainda assim, isto representou menos do que 65% da demanda de casos incidentes. É preciso reforçar a implementação do sistema de referência integrado, inclusive com busca ativa, para que todas as crianças com direito ao BPC tenham acesso.

Objective: to evaluate the Brazilian Laboratorial Environment Management System (GAL) as a data source for the Sentinel Surveillance of Influenza-like illness (SSILI). Methods: this is an evaluation study of GAL, through the analysis of its simplicity, flexibility, data quality, acceptability, representativeness, opportunity, stability and usefulness for SSILI, based on the guide for system evaluation in public health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta/GA, USA). Results: in 2011 and 2012, a total of 13,765 exams for respiratory viruses were registered. GAL presented simple structure, flexibility to changes, good data quality, acceptability and opportunity in the access to test results, being representative and stable in 23 Brazilian states. Conclusion: the system is useful in meeting the goals of SSILI; however, there are some recommendations for adjustments and for encouraging the adherence by the states that do not use the system yet.

The Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 introduced the Continuous Cash Benefits (BCP), allowing the inclusion of people with disabilities. This is a descriptive study with aggregate municipal data about the time and geographic distribution of the incidence of microcephaly related to the Zika virus in Brazil and data of the BCP grants to children diagnosed with microcephaly. Data on the demand and BCP grants to children with microcephaly since 2009 are shown. Cases of microcephaly and/or central nervous system disorders were obtained from the Ministry of Health and totaled 2,366 confirmed cases from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. The historical series of BCP granted from 2009 to 2016 was based on data from the National Institute of Social Security and showed, until 2014, a baseline with an average of 200 annual benefits for children younger than 48 months with microcephaly. In 2016, grants increased eight times, reaching 1,603 benefits granted to children of 731 municipalities spread in the 27 States. The Northeast accounted for 73% of the BCPs granted, however, this was less than 65% of the demand for incident cases. The implementation of the integrated referral system, including active search, should be strengthened to ensure access to all children entitled to BCP.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: avaliar o sistema Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial (GAL) como fonte de dados para a Vigilância Sentinela da Síndrome Gripal (VSSG), no Brasil, nos anos de 2011 e 2012. MÉTODOS: estudo de avaliação do GAL a partir da análise dos atributos simplicidade, flexibilidade, qualidade dos dados, aceitabilidade, representatividade, oportunidade, estabilidade do sistema e sua utilidade para a VSSG, com base no guia de avaliação de sistema de vigilância em saúde pública do Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta/GA, Estados Unidos). RESULTADOS: nos anos de 2011 e 2012, foram registrados 13.765 exames de vírus respiratórios. O GAL mostrou-se simples de estrutura, flexível às mudanças, com boa qualidade de dados, aceitabilidade e oportunidade no acesso aos resultados dos exames, tendo sido representativo e estável em 23 estados. CONCLUSÃO: o sistema é útil no atendimento aos objetivos da VSSG; contudo, recomenda-se realizar ajustes e incentivar a adesão dos estados que não o utilizam.