Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Accidents by Venomous Animals in Mâncio Lima, a Western Amazonian City

Abstract

Aims: To characterize the frequency and clinical characteristics of venomous animals’ accidents in Mâncio Lima, Acre. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Mâncio Lima, Acre, Brazil, between 2013 and 2015. Methodology: We included a cohort of 350 households (estimated to be 1,500 people of all ages) in the urban area of Mâncio Lima. The following questionnaires were applied: I. Occurrence of accidents by venomous animals and clinical characterization of accidents; II. The detailed description of households. Results: There were 111 (8%) accidents with snakes, 138 (9.9%) accidents with scorpions, 108 (7.8%) accidents with spiders and 99 (7.1%) accidents with stingrays. Bothrops jararaca was the most cited snake, being edema (local and systemic) and muscular pain the main symptoms. In relation to scorpionism and arachnidism, the hands were the body site of the greatest number of injuries, with local pain/tingling and pain/blistering being the main symptoms, respectively. Accidents by stingrays occurred mostly in the shallow part of the river; feet and legs were the main body sites affected and local pain/bleeding were the main symptoms. Conclusion: In Mâncio Lima, there was a severe frequency of envenomation in the population, specifically in low-income brown/black male rural workers with low educational level. A counter action is required with public health measures that protects the inhabitants of the region, offering greater hospital care and wide application of serum for everyone who needs it. It is also important to educate rural workers on venomous animals and preventive measures to avoid accidents.