Zoonotic disease: geographic distribution of neurocysticercosis infection in Ecuador during the period 2014-2020

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCS) in an infection of the central nervous system caused by infectious eggs of Taenia Solium, depending on its location, can cause epilepsy, hydrocephalus, and death. The objective of the study is to determine the geographic distribution of the NCS in Ecuador during the period 2014-2020. Methodology: observational, ecological longitudinal study; the hospital discharge database of the National Institute of Statistics and Census for the period 2014-2020 is used; spatial analysis was performed using the geographic software QGIS. Results: A total of 791 cases were recorded, the highest incidence of cases occurred in cantons of the province of Loja: Calvas, Paltas and Espindola with 1.05, 0.77 and 0.63 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. Conclusions: The area with a higher incidence of NCS is in the Ecuadorian Austro. Public health measures should improve the conditions that serve as risk factors for NCS infection