Risk mapping of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Brazil experiences a large number of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases. Our objective was to examine both spatial patterns of dispersion and space-time trends for this disease. We used all autochthonous confirmed cases of VL in Brazil from 2001 to 2017. Throughout Brazil, 53,715 human cases of VL were recorded. The Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions of Brazil were the most affected areas and presented a higher risk of transmission. Regarding spatiotemporal variation, significant differences were observed each year, with a peak in 2005. The dynamics of VL showed a clear non-random pattern of spread in Brazil.