OBJECTIVE:

To describe the epidemiological profile of hantavirus in Pará State, Brazil, through an analysis of cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome from 1995 to 2012.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Descriptive, cross-sectional, and ecological study, using secondary data from confirmed cases in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) for Pará State between 1995 and 2012. Demographic, geographical, and temporal variables, as well as opportunity, sensitivity, and quality of data attributes were analyzed. Furthermore, epidemiological indicators of prevalence, lethality, and mortality were calculated and an analysis of case distribution was conducted.

RESULTS:

Pará had 235 reported hantavirus cases, of which 77 were positive; there were 33 deaths, and the mortality rate was 42.9%. The most commonly affected were men (77.9%), mulattos (44.2%), persons without any basic education (54.5%), and those aged between 21 and 30 years (33.7%). Fever was the most common symptom. Hemoconcentration (47.2%) and diffuse pulmonary infiltrate (45.4%) were the most frequent laboratory and radiological findings. Farm and janitorial work were the occupations with highest risk of developing the syndrome. Cases were reported throughout the year. An analysis of the spatial distribution of cases showed a concentration of cases in the western part of Pará State.

CONCLUSION:

Epidemiological and ecoepidemiological investigation of hantavirus cases in Pará State is required, as well as training and updating health professionals that work in hospital emergency departments.