EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA OF PERTUSSIS IN BRAZIL IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS - 2007 TO 2011

Abstract

Pertussis is an acute infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract. Our objective was to analyze the data on pertussis from 2007 to 2011 available online on the National Information System of Notifiable Diseases - SINAN (Sistema de Informacao de Agravos de Notificacao). Despite being preventable by vaccination, pertussis still has an incidence of 7.9/100,000 among babies under twelve months, with a lethality rate of 2.4% for this age group. There were no significant differences between sexes. Data analyzed demonstrated a seasonal variation with greater number of cases observed on transition from spring to summer months, October through December. The year 2011 recorded the highest number of cases. The national program of immunization has obtained a great decrease of cases of pertussis and other preventable diseases in children. Nonetheless a greater effort of education and orientation for mothers need to be done to prevent unnecessary deaths.