Social Cost of Leptospirosis Cases Attributed to the 2011 Disaster Striking Nova Friburgo, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the social cost of the leptospirosis cases that were attributed to the natural disaster of January 2011 in Nova Friburgo (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) through a partial economic assessment. This study utilized secondary data supplied by the Municipal Health Foundation of Nova Friburgo. Income scenarios based on the national and state minimum wages and on average income of the local population were employed. The total social cost of leptospirosis cases attributed to the 2011 disaster may range between US$21,500 and US$66,000 for the lower income scenario and between US$23,900 and US$100,800 for that of higher income. Empirical therapy represented a total avoided cost of US$14,800, in addition to a reduction in lethality. An estimated 31 deaths were avoided among confirmed cases of the disease, and no deaths resulted from the leptospirosis cases attributed to the natural disaster. There has been a significant post-disaster rise in leptospirosis incidence in the municipality, which illustrates the potential for increased cases—and hence costs—of this illness following natural disasters, which justifies the adoption of preventive measures in environmental health.

The Association between Hydro-Meteorological Events and Leptospirosis Hospitalizations in Santa Catarina, Brazil

“…The findings show that the number of HE is associated with the rates and hospitalization in both regions; however, we observed that in the periods where more than 15 HE occurred in a single month, a significant increase was observed with greater repercussions in macro health regions with greater proximity to the coast ( Figure 5). This is in accordance with other studies for Brazil, South America and other countries [12,22,23].…”

“…On the other hand, floods have been reported to be associated with the increase of the global burden of disease [12], morbidity [13], mortality [14,15], social and economic disruptions. Regarding flood-related morbidities, an expressive number of articles has been published on the analysis of episodes of waterborne diseases related to the contamination of foods ingested, leading to the emergence of cases of Leptospirosis [13,14,16].…”

Distribution of Leptospira interrogans by Multispacer Sequence Typing in Urban Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus): A Survey in France in 2011-2013

“…Strain emergence or re-emergence in a given area is likely to occur due to changing environments, host population fluctuations and vaccine pressure. Detecting such a change would facilitate appropriate leptospirosis preparedness efforts and would be useful in preparing for natural disasters, such as storms, hurricanes and particularly flooding, all of which are usually associated with an increased incidence of human and animal leptospirosis [ 31 – 32 ].…”

Inundações e leptospirose nos municípios brasileiros no período de 2003 a 2013: utilização de técnicas de mineração de dados

“…Ressalta-se a importância da atenção às áreas detectadas com taxas estimadas elevadas neste estudo, para um aprimoramento da vigilância de leptospirose, pois são áreas que têm características ecológicas sugestivas de maior risco, mas talvez o serviço de vigilância não esteja sendo tão eficiente na detecção destes casos. Devido provavelmente a esses fatores, observa-se no Brasil uma incidência de leptospirose baixa e uma letalidade alta 33 Este estudo permitiu um melhor conhecimento da ecologia de transmissão da leptospirose. Além da importância das inundações e dos problemas no esgotamento sanitário discutidos anteriormente, destacam-se também as condições socioeconômicas baixas representadas pela proporção de chefes de família com pelo menos dez anos de estudos, a proporção da população residente em área de favela e problemas relacionados ao saneamento ambiental 33 .…”

“…Devido provavelmente a esses fatores, observa-se no Brasil uma incidência de leptospirose baixa e uma letalidade alta 33 Este estudo permitiu um melhor conhecimento da ecologia de transmissão da leptospirose. Além da importância das inundações e dos problemas no esgotamento sanitário discutidos anteriormente, destacam-se também as condições socioeconômicas baixas representadas pela proporção de chefes de família com pelo menos dez anos de estudos, a proporção da população residente em área de favela e problemas relacionados ao saneamento ambiental 33 .…”