Use of soil moisture active passive satellite data and WorldClim 2.0 data to predict the potential distribution of visceral leishmaniasis and its vector Lutzomyia longipalpis in Sao Paulo and Bahia states, Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease transmitted by Lutzomyia longipalpis, a sand fly widely distributed in Brazil. Despite efforts to strengthen national control programs reduction in incidence and geographical distribution of VL in Brazil has not yet been successful; VL is in fact expanding its range in newly urbanized areas. Ecological niche models (ENM) for use in surveillance and response systems may enable more effective operational VL control by mapping risk areas and elucidation of eco-epidemiologic risk factors.

Predicted distribution of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) species involved in the transmission of Leishmaniasis in São Paulo state, Brazil, utilizing maximum entropy ecological niche modeling.

Leishmaniasis is a public health problem worldwide. We aimed to predict ecological niche models (ENMs) for visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniasis and the sand flies involved in the transmission of leishmaniasis in São Paulo, Brazil. Phlebotomine sand flies were collected between 1985 and 2015.

Analysis of the socio-environmental vulnerability of black and Caucasian pregnant women in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil to the occurrence of microcephaly associated with the congenital syndrome of zika virus.

To understand the occurrence of the Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), the living conditions of pregnant individuals must be considered in order to identify factors and areas of risk. An intersectional approach provides an understanding of the vulnerabilities to which Black women are subjected. To that end, we present an overview of the spatio-temporal distribution of confirmed cases of microcephaly associated with CZS during the 2015-2016 period in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil based on a survey of Black and Caucasian, pregnant women seen through the intersectional lens of race and class.

Ecological niche models for sand fly species and predicted distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) and visceral leishmaniasis in Bahia state, Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis is a public health problem in Brazil. This disease is endemic in most of Bahia state, with increasing reports of cases in new areas. Ecological niche models (ENM) can be used as a tool for predicting potential distribution for disease, vectors, and to identify risk factors associated with their distribution.