A retrospective observational study was performed to evaluate variables of the use of the land to determine space and time distribution of bovine rabies in Minas Gerais State - Brazil, from 1976 to 1997. The analysis of 7526 records for bovine rabies diagnosis used direct immunofluorescence was performed. For analysis of the use of the land the data of the Agricultural Censuses of Minas Gerais - FIBGE, years of 1970, 1985 and 1995-1996 were studied. Factorial analysis of the main components, with the aid of the Minitab Program version 9.0, was used to investigate the behavior of rabies and variables of the use of the land. This disease was more associated to the permanent and temporary crops, natural and artificial pastures, and size of the bovine herds. On the other hand, it was less associated to the artificial and natural forests, resting crop areas or unused productive land. It was concluded that anthropics transformations in agrarian space, especially related to the use of the land had a determinant influence in the space and time distribution of the bovine rabies in Minas Gerais.
Epidemiology; bovine rabies; use of land; space distribution
