Abstract

LIMONGI, Jean Ezequiel; SILVA, Juliana Junqueira da; PAULA, Márcia Beatriz Cardoso de  and  MENDES, Júlio. Epidemiologic aspects of flea infestations in the urban area of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 2007-2010. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.2, pp.285-294. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742013000200010.

OBJECTIVE: to study flea infestations in domestic animals and households in the urban area of Uberlândia-MG and their epidemiological aspects. METHODS: cross-sectional study of secondary data obtained from Zoonotic Disease Control Centre records on flea infestation domiciliary visits between 2007 and 2010. RESULTS: 99.7% of the 1,284 specimens found in 305 households were Ctenocephalides felis felis. Infestations occurred mainly in animals (57.1%), followed by mixed infestations in humans and animals (33.1%). Animal kennels in areas close to the households were the most infested sites (83.3%) predominantly in unpaved places (62.0%). Increased infestation occurred in August and September, this being the driest period of the year. CONCLUSION: the data indicate that C. felis infestations are related to poor hygienic conditions, presence of outbuildings and also type of soil in the environment.

Keywords : Ctenocephalides; Animals; Domestic; Cross-Sectional Studies.

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