[leish-l] VL lethality in Minas Gerais

[Ana Rabello]

Dr. Shaw has called attention to the high lethality rate of VL in Minas Gerais State, as it has appeared in Folha de São Paulo, one of the most important Brazilian newspapers, two weeks ago. Although the fact has only recently called the attention of the press (immediately after the death of a physician), the lethality rate in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte (population: 4.3 million) has ranged from 6.5 to 20% since the beginning of the VL urbanization in 1989. 

The rapid spread of the infection has surprised unprepared health services. Up to 2001, 17 (47%) out of the 36 municipalities faced the infection. The number of deaths occurring in HIV co-infected patients corresponds to a low proportion of the reported deaths and does not justify the extremely high lethality rate. Treatment with antimoniate is successful if promptly initiated. 

Due to the observation that patients were dying as consequence of diagnostics delay, a "Program for Reduction of the Lethality Rate of Visceral Leishmaniasis" has been launched last December by the Reference Center for Leishmaniasis of "Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-FIOCRUZ" and the Health Services of the municipalities and State. This effort comprises information for population, training and distribution of guidelines for physicians and rapid access to diagnostics support.

Once more, infectious diseases are challenging us. 

Ana Rabello and Zélia Profeta


  Reference Center for Leishmaniasis 

  Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - FIOCRUZ

  Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil




 

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