Using kernel density estimates to investigate lymphatic filariasis in northeast Brazil

After more than 10 years of the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) in Brazil, advances have been seen, but the endemic disease persists as a public health problem. The aim of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of lymphatic filariasis in the municipality of Jaboatao dos Guararapes, Pernambuco, Brazil. An epidemiological survey was conducted in the municipality, and positive filariasis cases identified in this survey were georeferenced in point form, using the GPS. A kernel intensity estimator was applied to identify clusters with greater intensity of cases. We examined 23 673 individuals and 323 individuals with microfilaremia were identified, representing a mean prevalence rate of 1·4%. Around 88% of the districts surveyed presented cases of filarial infection, with prevalences of 0–5·6%. The male population was more affected by the infection, with 63·8% of the cases (P<0·005). Positive cases were found in all age groups examined. The kernel intensity estimator ident...