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J M Falcão

Publications and source records attributed to J M Falcão.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Mortality in Portugal associated with the heat wave of August 2003: early estimation of effect, using a rapid method.

During the first two weeks of August 2003, Portugal was affected by a severe heat wave. Following the identification in Portugal of the influence of heat waves on mortality in 1981 and 1991 (estimated excess of about 1900 and 1000 deaths respectively), the Observatorio Nacional de Saude (ONSA) - Instituto Nacional de Saude Dr. Ricardo Jorge, together with the Vigilancia Previsao e Informacao - Instituto de Meteorologia, created a surveillance system called iCARO, which has been in operation since 1999. iCARO identifies heat waves with potential influence on mortality [1]. Before the end of the 2003 heat wave, ONSA had produced a preliminary estimate of its effect on mortality. The results based on daily number of deaths from 1 June to 12 August 2003 were presented within 4 working days. Data was gathered from 31 National Civil registrars, covering the district capitals of all 18 districts of mainland Portugal, and representing approximately 40% of the mainland's mortality. The number of deaths registered in the period 30 July to 12 August was compared with the ones registered during 3 comparison periods: (in July): 1-14 July, 1-28 July, and 15-28 July). 15-28 July, the period best resembling the heat wave in time and characteristics, produced an estimation of 37.7% higher mortality rate then the value expected under normal temperature conditions. From this value, an estimate of 1316 death excess was obtained for mainland Portugal. The main purpose of this article is to present the method used to identify and assess the occurrence of an effect (excess mortality) during the heat wave of summer 2003.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1998

Programme for the surveillance of influenza in Portugal: results of the period 1990-1996.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the situation of the influenza in Portugal through the estimates of the incidence rates and the identification of the viral strains implicated on it during the period 1990-1996. DESIGN: The integrated clinical and laboratory surveillance system for influenza in Portugal is based on the Portuguese sentinel network. Influenza cases are identified by general practitioners (GP) and notified to Division of Epidemiology (DEP) and to National Influenza Centre. Clinical and epidemiological data based on the clinical diagnosis are recorded and incidence rates are computed for the whole country. Throat swabs and blood samples are taken from the patients with influenza and sent to the National Influenza Centre to identify and classify the viral strains implicated. PARTICIPANTS: Lists of patients of the GPs collaborating on "Médicos-Sentinela" network. RESULTS: In 1990-1991, 1992-1993, and 1994-1995 there was a higher prevalence of influenza B virus and the highest influenza activity occurred in February and March in contrast with 1991-1992, 1993-1994, and 1995-1996 where the highest numbers of influenza cases occurred in November and December, and were associated with influenza A. CONCLUSIONS: During the past six years, 1990-1996, the influenza activity has been moderate in Portugal. From 1990-1996 influenza A and B viruses were prevalent every second year. The prevalence of influenza A was associated with the occurrence of the highest number of influenza cases during December and January and the prevalence of influenza B with the occurrence of the highest number of influenza cases during February and March.

Family Practice↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cerebrovascular diseases in Portugal: some epidemiological aspects].

The Portuguese population is affected by the highest mortality rates in all the countries of the European Union. The highest mortality rates occur in some districts on the north coast where, in 1995, the rates standardised by age were above 200/100,000/annum, with the lowest figures in some districts in the interior and in Lisbon. These mortality rates have had a downward trend, but inferior to what is desired, or what occurs in other developed countries. The Autonomous Region of Madeira had a more significant percentage reduction (40%), followed by the Autonomous Region of the Azores (25%). Little is known of the effects of sporadic occurrences on the mortality associated to cerebrovascular disease. The consequences of two of these occurrences are described: the heat wave in June 1981 and the influenza epidemic in 1988-89. The number of deaths due to cerebrovascular diseases in the period corresponding to the heat wave was 2.2 times higher than expected, while during the influenza epidemic cerebrovascular diseases were the most common cause of death (25.8%) contributing to excess mortality. It is imperative that instruments be created to more accurately estimate the importance of this group of diseases in Portugal in what concerns incidence, resulting disability and health care requirements as well as social and financial costs for the individuals, the families and the community.

Age Distribution↗