Epidemiologia da raiva humana no estado do Ceará, 1970-2019

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of cases of human rabies in Ceará State, Brazil, 1970-2019. Methods: We analyzed secondary data from the State Department of Health and the reference hospital. Results: Of 171 cases, 75.7% occurred in males, 60.0% in <19 year-olds, and 56.0% in urban areas. Rabies was transmitted by dogs in 74.0%, marmosets in 16.7% and bats in 7.3%. Between 1970 and 1978, there was an increase of cases (by Joinpoint Regression Program, annual percentage change [APC] = 13.7 – 95%CI 4.6;41.5), and 1978-2019 a decrease (APC = -6.7 – 95%CI -8.8;-5.9). There was a reduction of transmission by dogs (71 cases, last case in 2010) and an increase by sylvatic animals (5 cases since 2005). Conclusion: This study demonstrates changes of transmission dynamics of rabies during the last years, with reduction of transmission by dogs and relative increase of transmission by sylvatic animals.Objetivo: Descrever os casos de raiva humana no estado do Ceará, Brasil, no período 1970-2019. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, sobre dados secundários da Secretaria da Saúde e do hospital de referência do Ceará. Resultados: Dos 171 casos, 75,7% ocorreram em homens, 60,0% nas idades até 19 anos e 56,0% em áreas urbanas. O cão foi agente transmissor em 74,0% dos casos, sagui em 16,7% e morcego em 7,3%. Entre 1970 e 1978, houve crescimento do número de casos (pelo Joinpoint Regression Program, percentual da mudança anual [APC] = 13,7 – IC95% 4,6;41,5); e entre 1978 e 2019, redução (APC = -6,7 – IC95% -8,8;-5,9). Houve redução da transmissão por cães (71 casos; último caso em 2010) e aumento relativo por mamíferos silvestres (5 casos a partir de 2005). Conclusão: O estudo evidencia mudança na dinâmica da transmissão da raiva no período observado, com redução da transmissão por cão e incremento de casos por animais silvestres

Epidemiologia dos acidentes por serpentes peçonhentas no Estado do Ceará - Brasil

Foram notificados à Secretaria de Saúde do Estado do Ceará, no período de 1992 a 1995, 688 acidentes causados por serpentes peçonhentas (média anual de 172 casos), com coeficiente de incidência variando entre 0,9 e 5,8 por 100.000 habitantes. Dentre 473 casos em que houve referência ao gênero da serpente 88,3% foram por Bothrops, 10,6% por Crotalus, 0,8% por Micrurus e 0,2% por Lachesis. Os meses de abril a setembro apresentaram maior incidência. Houve predominância de pacientes do sexo masculino (75,6%) e com idades entre 10 a 49 anos (72,3%). As regiões anatômicas mais freqüentemente picadas foram os membros inferiores (81,9%) e superiores (14,7%). O atendimento na unidade de saúde que notificou o acidente ocorreu dentro de seis horas em 66,9% dos casos. A letalidade foi de 0,7%. Os acidentados foram sobretudo agricultores (62,7%), a maioria dos casos ocorreu no próprio local de trabalho. Os autores reforçam que os acidentes ofídicos no Estado do Ceará podem ser considerados acidentes de trabalho, acometem principalmente os trabalhadores rurais e constituem causa de óbito

Integration of human rabies surveillance and preventive measures in the State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil

Aim: To analyze the One Health approach regarding rabies surveillance, control, and prevention in Brazil’s Ceará State, exemplified by a detailed description of rabies cases that occurred over 18 years.Methods: We described in depth the history, case development, surveillance, and prevention measures of all cases of human rabies, 2004-2021. We analyzed patient charts and reviewed technical reports of the State Health Secretariat, in addition to analysis of personal notes from field missions.Results: All six cases occurred in rural areas. The affected people came from resource-poor communities. The state rapid response team performed comprehensive actions and seminars in collaboration with the Municipal Health Secretariats and other stakeholder groups. Patients and their relatives were not aware about the risk of wildlife-mediated rabies. A high number of wild animals (marmosets) kept as pets were collected in the communities. Only one patient presented at a primary health care center before the onset of symptoms but did not receive any post-exposure prophylaxis due to logistic problems. Even after onset of symptoms, in all cases, the suspected diagnosis was not rabies at first. In four cases, transmission occurred by marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), one by a hematophagous bat (Desmodus rotundus), and another by a domestic dog, though the identified viral strain was sylvatic. All patients died.Conclusion: Rabies in Ceará is a wildlife-mediated disease of the most vulnerable rural populations. There is a need for ongoing integrated surveillance and control measures, information and education campaigns, and professional training, especially focusing on wildlife-mediated rabies. An integrated One Health approach - as exemplified by the presented rabies control program in Ceará - is critical for human rabies elimination