Scenario of Acute Chagas Disease in Brazil: A spatio-temporal analysis

Chagas disease is a significant public health issue in Brazil, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease faces numerous challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiological surveillance, particularly in regions with precarious socioeconomic conditions. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of Chagas disease in Brazil over 20 years, focusing on epidemiological and sociodemographic aspects to aid in disease surveillance and prevention. The methodology involved a longitudinal and retrospective analysis of cases reported from 2001 to 2022, using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. During this period, 6,269 cases were registered, averaging 265 cases annually. The spatiotemporal distribution indicated that the North region had the highest number of cases. Most cases were reported among working-age individuals, predominantly male, and primarily of brown ethnicity. The primary mode of infection was the oral route, followed by vector contamination. The results showed a decreasing trend in disease burden, though possibly underestimated due to underreporting, affecting the effectiveness of epidemiological surveillance. The study evidenced that disease remains a neglected cause of loss of healthy life years, particularly in vulnerable groups and heavily affected regions, underscoring the need for ongoing control measures and surveillance in Brazil.