Influence of precipitation, deforestation and Tucurui reservoir operation on malaria incidence rates in southeast Para, Brazil

Malaria is a complex disease that reaches million people around the world, mainly in Africa, South America and Asia. Transmission of malaria depends on the interaction between the vector (mosquito Anopheles), the parasite (plasmodium), the hosts and the environment. The time span for the parasite to evolve into anopheles and it is survival rate combined with human exposure determine malaria infection risk. The malaria and mosquito life cycles are directly related to many factors such as precipitation, humidity and temperature. Besides, there are others factors contributing to the increasing of disease all over the world: parasite ant malarial drug resistance; mosquito insecticide resistance; environmental changes (deforestation, construction of dams); climatic changes; migration; population increase and lack of organized health system. For controlling malaria spread it will be necessary an efficient vaccine associate with effective monitoring systems. While the scientists do not obtain this vaccine, it is necessary to improve monitoring techniques. The aim of this research is relating incidence of malaria in the region of Tucurui dam, Brazilian Amazon, with deforestation, precipitation and oscillation of reservoir water level. Deforestation data from PRODES-INPE (95 to 97), incidence of malaria information provided by the Health National Foundation of Para State (Brazil), precipitation data provided by the National Agency of Electric Power (ANEEL) and RADARSAT image were used. Preliminary results show a positive correlation between deforestation increase and incidence of malaria, since areas of contact between man and the mosquito are prone to its spread.