[Evaluation of the Chagas Disease Control Program and presence of Panstrongylus megistus in central-western Minas Gerais State, Brazil].

The Brazilian National Chagas Disease Control Program (PCDCh) is currently in the epidemiological surveillance phase and poses one of the principal challenges for maintaining and improving surveillance. With the decentralization of health actions, leading to the transfer of responsibilities over the control of endemic diseases to the State and Municipal governments, some municipalities have faced difficulties in implementing the Program, since they lack experience in controlling this disease. This study analyzes the current situation with epidemiological surveillance of Chagas disease in 54 municipalities (counties) in central-western Minas Gerais State, with a view towards evaluation and improvement of the process. From July 2003 to July 2007, 776 captures were performed, totaling 1,390 triatomine bugs from 37 municipalities. The most prevalent species was Panstrongylus megistus (99.3% of the specimens captured). A total of 8.3% of the specimens were positive for Trypanosoma cruzi-like flagellates. Distribution of the specimens differed between municipalities, and the article discusses some reasons for these differences. As a whole, the findings strongly suggest the need to improve Chagas disease epidemiological surveillance in the region.