EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF BANCROFTIAN FILARIASIS IN RECIFE, NORTHEASTERNBRAZIL

Wuchereria bancrofti in Pernambuco was first documented in 1952 (Azeve do & Dobbin 1952), and since then it has been reported in surveys carr ied out in selected areas of Recife. Several surveys were carried out from 1981 to 1991 by SUCAM. In the 1985 SUCAM's report the disease is considered under control The CPqAM Filariasis Research Program was est ablished in 1985 and a filarial survey was carried out in the town of Olinda, Greater Recife. In order to verify the veal epidemiological si tuation, a study was conducted in the city of Recife. 21/36 of the Spe cial Zones of Social Interest (ZEIS), were randomly selected for the p resent study. From 10,664 persons screened 683 were positive and the p revalence rate for microfilaraemia (mf) varied from 0.6% to 14.9%. A m ean mf prevalence of 6.5%, showed that the infection occurs in a wide geographic distribution in Greater Recife and that the intensity of tr ansmission is a real and potential threat to public health in affected communities. Mf rate among males and females differed significantly. Due to the rapid increase in population, unplanned urban settlements, poor sanitary facilities and the favorable geographical conditions to the development of the vector, filariasis may actually be increasing i n Recife.