Perfil Epidemiológico da Leptospirose no Rio Grande do Sul: Análise dos Casos Notificados entre Janeiro de 2020 a Junho de 2024

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the epidemiological profile of leptospirosis in the state of RS between January 2020 and June 2024, highlighting the year 2024, when the largest water disaster in the region occurred. The research is cross-sectional and observational with a quantitative approach. The data extracted came from the Department of Information Technology of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), with information registered in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), in which the total number of infected people, the total number of deaths due to reported worsening, the difference in the number of infected people by sex and the difference in the number of infected people by age group, ethnicity and mesoregions were worked on. Based on the research, the vulnerability of the RS population to contamination by leptospirosis is observed, especially during periods of flooding. This recurring problem in the region contributes to the increase in the contagion rate, which explains the record number of cases recorded in 2024.In addition, the study revealed that the predominance of the zoonosis is concentrated especially in economically active white men from Porto Alegre, aged between 20 and 59, with complete or incomplete high school education, revealing a greater predisposition of this group to contract this disease.  It is of fundamental importance to develop measures that seek to combat and reduce the damage caused by floods, which will reduce the potential for contamination of the disease in the region. Through actions such as improving infrastructure, climate recognition, advance planning and education of the population about the disease, the epidemiological situation of the zoonosis will be alleviated.