HANTAVIROSIS: PATHOLOGY AND REPORT IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Hantavirosis is a worldwide distributed disease transmitted through the inhalation of aerosols containing excreta of wild rodents contaminated with Hantavirus. In Brazil, the first case of this disease was reported in 1993 and, since then, several others have been confirmed in all regions of the country. Although the number of cases of hantavirosis is small when compared with other zoonotic diseases, it is important to take into account the possible subestimate of occurrence, since it affects mainly people of little urbanized areas, with difficult access to health services. Another reason is the lack of diagnosis due to nonspecific symptoms and their rapid evolution. Thus, this work proposes to carry out a survey of data about hantavirosis: to assess it incidence and prevalence in Brazil, with focus in Rio Grande do Sul state, for providing data to epidemiological studies about control and transmission of this disease.