Epidemiological Aspects and High Magnitude of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Ceará, Northeast of Brazil, 2007–2021

Abstract

Background: Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) is endemic to 75 countries. The state of Ceará, the Northeast region of Brazil, is of great sanitary importance for the transmission of HVL, and it stands out as an area of interest for epidemiological aspects and control strategies. This study aimed to characterize HVL in relation to epidemiological aspects, composite incidence, and mortality rates in the state of Ceará, Brazil, from 2007 to 2021. Methods: This ecological study used temporal and spatial cuts of HVL data from the notifiable diseases information system. Epidemiological indicators such as incidence, mortality, and composite indices of incidence and mortality were calculated according to the Ministry of Health standardization. Results: There were 6,775 confirmed cases, with high incidence coefficients in 2009 (6.96 cases/100,000 inhabitants) and 2011 (9.83 cases/100,000 inhabitants), and the highest mortality rate in 2011 (6.96 deaths/100,000 inhabitants). The composite index of incidence and mortality identified municipalities in the Northern, Northwestern, and Southern regions of Ceará as having the highest risk of HVL. Conclusions: HVL remained endemic throughout the study period, with epidemiological indicators and risk of transmission expressing high magnitude, mainly in the Northeast, Northwest, and South regions of Ceará.