Incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the north of Mato Grosso among 2001 and 2008

Incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis recorded in the Health Regional Office of Sinop (ERS-SINOP), which covers 17 cities located at the north of Mato Grosso was examined considering the numbers of reported cases by municipalities, gender, age and rainfall seasonality. Data were obtained from the National System of Notification Diseases (Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificacoes) between 2001 and 2008. We calculated the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in each municipality. Leishmaniasis prevalence rate from 2001 to 2008 was higher in the cities of Nova Ubirata (857.2 cases per 100,000 population), Feliz Natal (834.5 per 100,000) and Vera (557.0 per 100,000). The average incidence (334.9 per 100,000 population) recorded at the ERS-Sinop was 4.5 times higher than that recorded for the whole North Region of Mato Grosso. The disease was more severe for people between 20 and 49 years old, irrespective of gender. Incidence was higher in males (64.8%). The number of cases recorded in the drought period was 60%. In the region, part of the population of the study area is exposed to direct contact with the vector of Leishmania, while they are working in activities such as selective logging, farming and mining.