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. 2014 Oct 15:20:46.
doi: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-46. eCollection 2014.

Scorpionism in Brazil in the years 2000 to 2012

Guilherme Carneiro Reckziegel  1 , Vitor Laerte Pinto Jr  2
Affiliations

Scorpionism in Brazil in the years 2000 to 2012

Guilherme Carneiro Reckziegel et al. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Scorpionism is a serious public health problem in Brazil. Nationwide epidemiological analyses of scorpion stings are scarce. In this context, the present study aims to provide an epidemiological analysis of accidents involving scorpions in Brazil.

Methods: An analytical epidemiological study of the scorpion accidents reported in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) was conducted from 2000 to 2012 in Brazil.

Results: During this period, 482,616 accidents and 728 deaths were reported. The annual average incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants were 19.6 and 0.030, respectively, with annual average lethality rate of 0.16%. The highest accident frequency was recorded in male subjects, aged 20-49 years, from September to December and in urban areas, except in the northern region of the country, where accidents were most frequent in June and July, and in rural areas. Males up to age 9 and rural areas were defined as an age group and area for greatest death risk, respectively.

Conclusions: Scorpionism in Brazil is a predominantly urban health problem that mostly affects people at an economically active age. The Northeast and Southeast hold the majority of cases and deaths, as well as the highest annual incidence and mortality averages, but the Central West and North presented the highest average annual lethality rates. The epidemiological changes described in this study highlight the need for intensifying health surveillance actions to prevent scorpion accidents in Brazil.

Keywords: Brazil; Epidemiological profile; Public health; Scorpion sting; Tityus.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Temporal distribution of absolute number of cases of accidents with scorpions by region in Brazil by (A) year and (B) month of the accident, Brazil, 2000–2012.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Annual average incidence, (B) mortality and (C) lethality rates of scorpion envenomation in Brazil, 2000–2012.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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