Distribuição espacial da dengue no município de Ituiutaba-MG: uma análise dos anos de 2017 a 2024

Abstract

Dengue, a disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, remains a major public health challenge, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In urban environments, socio-spatial factors—such as population density, domestic water storage, and unequal access to sanitation— shape the territorial distribution of cases and demand geographically informed approaches to prevention and control. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of dengue in Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, from 2017 to 2024, based on the framework of Health Geography. Secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) were organized by neighborhood and year, statistically processed, and mapped using QGIS. Results show a total of 12,886 confirmed cases, with highest incidence concentrated in central neighborhoods, particularly Centro, followed by Pirapitinga, Natal, Independência, and Platina. A clear seasonal pattern was identified, with peaks between February and May, and epidemic years occurring in 2019 and 2023, contrasting with reductions in 2021 and 2024. Despite the significant decline in 2024, case dispersion toward peripheral areas highlights the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance and decentralized actions. The findings indicate that the persistence of dengue in Ituiutaba is linked to combined socio-spatial, climatic, and infrastructural factors, reinforcing the importance of intersectoral public policies, sanitation improvements, and strengthened environmental education as key strategies for prevention and control.