Wuchereria bancrofti in Pernambuco was first documented
in 1952 (Azevedo & Dobbin 1952), and since then it has been
reported in surveys carried out in selected areas of Recife.
Several surveys were carried out from 1981 to 1991 by SUCAM.
In the 1985 SUCAM's report the disease is considered under
control. The CPqAM Filariasis Research Program was established
in 1985 and a filarial survey was carried out in the town of
Olinda, Greater Recife. In order to verify the real
epidemiological situation, a study was conducted in the city
of Recife.
21/36 of the Special Zones of Social Interest (ZEIS), were
randomly selected for the present study. From 10,664 persons
screened, 683 were positive and the prevalence rate for
microfilaraemia (mf) varied from 0.6% to 14.9%. A mean mf
prevalence of 6.5%, showed that the infection occurs in a wide
geographic distribution in Greater Recife and that the
intensity of transmission is a real and potential threat to
public health in affected communities. Mf rate among males and
females differed significantly. Due to the rapid increase in
population, unplanned urban settlements, poor sanitary
facilities and the favorable geographical conditions to the
development of the vector, filariasis may actually be
increasing in Recife.
