[Land use and occupation and hantavirosis dissemination in the São Sebastião region, Federal District: 2004 - 2008].

INTRODUCTION

Hantavirosis has worldwide distribution and is an important public health problem. The epidemiology of hantavirosis in Brazil shows that the number of cases notified and the number of variants discovered in several states and the Federal District have been increasing year by year. Within this context, the main objective of this study was to examine land use and occupation in relation to the spread of hantavirosis in the Federal District, between 2004 and 2008.

METHODS

To carry out this investigation, epidemiological and land use data were used to drafting tables and cartograms in order to detail the special spread of hantavirosis in this area.

RESULTS

Out of the 40 likely infection sites plotted on the coverage and land use map, 19 (47%) were in pasture areas, 10 (25%) in urban areas (periurban), 6 (15%) in areas used for agriculture and 5 (12%) in savanna areas.

CONCLUSIONS

It can thus be seen that agricultural activities and urban expansion towards the savanna areas have favored the spread of hantavirosis in the Federal District and especially in São Sebastião.