[Evaluation of the Chagas Disease Control Program and presence of Panstrongylus megistus in central-western Minas Gerais State, Brazil].

The Brazilian National Chagas Disease Control Program (PCDCh) is currently in the epidemiological surveillance phase and poses one of the principal challenges for maintaining and improving surveillance. With the decentralization of health actions, leading to the transfer of responsibilities over the control of endemic diseases to the State and Municipal governments, some municipalities have faced difficulties in implementing the Program, since they lack experience in controlling this disease. This study analyzes the current situation with epidemiological surveillance of Chagas disease in 54 municipalities (counties) in central-western Minas Gerais State, with a view towards evaluation and improvement of the process.

[Chagas disease epidemiological surveillance in a decentralized program: evaluation of practice and knowledge among municipal health agents in an endemic region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil].

This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological surveillance of Chagas disease in the central-western region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, based on knowledge and practice among municipal health agents working in the Chagas Disease Control Program. Thirty-five municipalities (counties) were visited, with meetings and application of a questionnaire on knowledge, practice, and difficulties in conducting the surveillance work. Twenty-six agents were on temporary (annual) contracts, and only two had job stability.

[Integral insecticide spraying followed by immediate triatomine research, as an additional strategy for the epidemiological surveillance of Chagas' disease, in areas of residual persisting foci].

The locality of Altolândia (Tapiraí Municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil), frequently presents Panstrongylus megistus infestation in the domiciliary environment. In order to improve epidemiological surveillance in this area, a strategy of domiciliary pyrethroid spraying with high flushing-out effect followed by immediate triatomine research, was implemented in all the existing dwellings. The main objectives were the detection and elimination of cryptic foci, thus reducing the opportunities for new infestations.