Vasconcelos Cíntia Honório, Cardoso Paula Cristina Marques, Quirino Wesley Caldeira, Massara Cristiano Lara, Amaral Graciela Larissa, Cordeiro Ricardo, Carvalho Omar dos Santos
Centro de Pesquisa René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
Cad Saude Publica. 2009 May;25(5):997-1006. doi: 10.1590/s0102-311x2009000500006.
Schistosomiasis control programs in Brazil have helped reduce prevalence and the severe forms of the disease, but have failed to prevent new foci from appearing, especially on the periphery of large cities. The current article aims to assess the prevalence of schistosomiasis and the presence of intermediates hosts for Schistosoma mansoni in the district of Ravena, Municipality of Sabará, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, 27 years after implementing water treatment and specific treatment for infected individuals. Ravena responded positively to schistosomiasis control measures, with a prevalence of 2.5%. However, the district remains a potential risk area, since it displays favorable environmental and ecological factors for maintenance of the disease. For the prevalence rates to continue low, it will be necessary to invest in sanitation and health education, in addition to treatment of infected individuals.
