The authors analysed the visceral leishmaniasis (VL) aspects in the State of Maranhão-Brazil, from 1982 to 1993. The disease happens to occur predominantly in São Luis, Island (MÁ) and during the epidemic period, town of São Luis was pointed out as the main endemic area. The greatest frequency of cases occured in 1993, despite the use of insecticid and dogs control. There was predominance of age between 0 to 4 year old population with 58.04% of cases. Neither the human disease nor the rainfall index had significant seasonal variation. However they were correlated moderately, with high number of cases after the period of great preciptation of rain. After this study, the data obtained will allow a better control of the disease, despite some factors such as: the urbanization, localization and dynamic of transmission in endemic areas in the Maranhão State.
Visceral leishmaniasis; Epidemiological aspects; State of Maranhão