Abstract
Background
Spotted fever is an acute infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia and transmitted by ticks, which can lead to hospitalization and, eventually, death due to more severe conditions.
Objective
The purpose of this article was to describe the epidemiological scenario of the disease in the three federal states with the highest number of notifications and deaths due to the disease in Brazil between 2007 and 2016.
Method
A descriptive epidemiological study was carried out based on data from the investigation forms for the disease, with data being analyzed on demographic, geographic, environmental, and hospitalization, diagnosis, and outcome of cases in the study area.
Results
953 cases of the disease were confirmed, mostly by laboratory criteria, with a higher prevalence being observed among men with an average age of 35 years, little related to the work environment, but largely related to the urban environment. Of the total confirmed cases, 64% of patients said that they had had some contact with ticks, as well as with dogs (36%), capybaras (20%), and horses (19%).
Conclusion
We believe that there are questions about the disease that were not elucidated in this article, however, creative approaches, validated and anchored in the association of different areas of knowledge can give good results if objectively applied in strategic health management actions.
Keywords:
descriptive epidemiology; spotted fever; health information system; emerging communicable diseases; zoonoses
Thumbnail
Thumbnail
Thumbnail
Thumbnail
Thumbnail
