INTRODUCTION: Brazilian spotted fever is an emerging zoonosis notified mainly in the Southeast of Brazil, especially due to its high level of lethality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological and spatial pattern of the disease in the municipality of Valinhos (106,793 inhabitants), São Paulo, Southeastern region of Brazil, in the period between 2001 and 2012. METHODS: All laboratory-confirmed cases with likely site of infection in the city (n = 49) notified in the Brazilian Case Registry Database were studied. Sites were geocoded using the cartographic base of the city and Google Earth (geographic coordinates) with correction according to the Brazilian Geodetic System. We used the Kernel estimator to analyze the density of the cases on the map. Land cover and distance to basins of all cases were analyzed. Information about tick species and primary hosts were obtained from reports of the Superintendence of Control of Endemic Diseases. RESULTS: Seasonality of the disease was observed with the highest incidence from June to November, and in 2005 and 2011. The most affected groups were men (79.6%) aged 20-49 years old (49%). Lethality was found to be 42.9%. Maps showed the progressive registration of cases in the urban area. Capybaras were reported as the main primary host, and Amblyomma cajennense was identified in probable sites of infection during field investigation. The likely sites of infection were mostly located near basins, dirty pastures, and bordering woods. CONCLUSIONS: The transmission pattern of Brazilian spotted fever in Valinhos is similar to that in other cities in the region, where capybara is the main primary host and an amplifier of R. rickettsii. Over the years, a higher occurrence of cases has been identified in the urban area of the city.

Human actions are degrading water quality, affecting the health of ecosystems and the availability of potable water for human consumption. Therefore, the monitoring of water systems is essential for recovery and management purposes. This study aimed to investigate the water quality in the environmental protection area (EPA) of Itupararanga Reservoir (Brazil) using water quality indices, pointing out land uses that contributing to the deterioration of water quality. The spatial analysis involved the creation of land use and soil maps of the sub-catchment areas of Itupararanga. Water quality index (WQI), trophic state index (TSI), aquatic life index (ALI), index of minimum variables for the maintenance of aquatic life (IMVMAL) and metals pollution potential index (MPPI) were calculated. The land uses which can affect the water quality on long term were identified. TSI (mesotrophic and hypereutrophic) and ALI showed results above the recommended values were. MPPI presented high values for the elements Al, Cr and Fe. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed spatial variability in the reservoir. In conclusion, the sampling sites with lower water quality were Sorocabuçu and Una, followed by Sorocamirim. These sites probably explain the deteriorated water quality found in sampling point Res1 of the reservoir for all indices analysed.