The importance of "bug reporting", on the part of the local human population, to the epidemiological surveillance of Chagas' disease in S. Paulo State is demonstrated. The variations the number of "bug reports" from the local human population in the period from 1974 to 1983 relating to an area, infested by Panstrongylus megistus, in the northeast of S. Paulo State are studied. An increase in the number of "bug reporting" occurring in October, November and December was observed; however, no connection was discovered between domiciliary infestation rate and the "bug report" rate in this specific area.
Trypanosomiasis South American; Panstrongylus; Insect control; Consumer participation