A retrospective study on human leptospirosis, was done in Belo Horizonte in 1995, using geographic processing resources. Thirty suspected and 19 confirmed cases of leptospirosis were mapped in the area. The majority of confirmed cases (68.4 ± 13%) were located in North, Northeast and West of the city. The main foci of disease were found in slums and other poor areas: 73.7 ± 12% of the confirmed cases and 26.7 ± 12% of suspected cases. Ninety-five percent ± 6% of the confirmed cases were found in the outskirts of the city where there was a population increase and inadequate infrastructure. It was observed that 50 ± 14% of the suspected cases and 42 ± 14% of the confirmed cases were found in areas of high concentration of water resources. Suspected (83.3 ± 10%) and confirmed cases (79 ± 11%) occurred in lower altitude areas of the city (750 to 1,000m) and 78 ± 12% of the individuals had been in contact with contaminated water and/or animals.
Leptospirosis; Microscopic agglutination test; Geographic processing
