Acute Chagas Disease (ACD), an endemic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi , remains a relevant public health problem in Brazil. For decades, vector transmission through triatomine insects was the main route of infection; however, since the 2000s, oral transmission has become predominant, changing the epidemiological profile of ACD. The state of Pará, which reports the highest number of cases nationwide, also hosts the largest açaí production chain, a food most frequently associated with oral transmission. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological relationship between ACD and the açaí harvest season, which occurs from August to December in Pará. This descriptive, retrospective epidemiological study used data obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) via TabNet, including confirmed ACD cases reported in Pará between 2007 and 2023. Variables analyzed included month and year of symptom onset, municipality of notification, form and probable place of infection, sex, age group, and self-reported race/skin color. Seasonality was evaluated based on cases reported between August and December, the açaí harvest period. During the study period, 3,598 confirmed ACD cases were reported in Pará, corresponding to 83% of cases in the Northern region and approximately 79% nationwide. There was a progressive increase in notifications, with peaks in 2016 (321 cases) and 2022 (323 cases). Monthly distribution showed evident seasonality, with higher concentration from August to December (2,367 cases; 65.8%), coinciding with the açaí harvest. Oral transmission predominated (2,952 cases; 82%), and most infections occurred at home (2,436; 67.7%). Municipalities with the highest number of cases were Abaetetuba (592), Belém (567), Breves (448), and Cametá (302), all with strong açaí production or consumption. The most affected age group was 20–59 years (1,227 cases; 34.1%), with slight male predominance. Self-reported mixed race predominated (2,924 patients; 81.3%). The analysis demonstrated a strong relationship between the açaí harvest season and increased ACD cases in Pará, highlighting the urgency of combating this transmission route through sanitary surveillance actions and enforcement of hygiene practices in fruit cultivation.
Paiva et al. (Sun,) studied this question.