Epidemiology of the injury with venomous animals in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast of Brazil.

This report is an investigation of the epidemiological features of injuries with venomous animals in the Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2014. A total of 30,429 cases were analyzed. Cases were distributed over all months of the period studied and occurred mainly in urban areas. Scorpion stings showed the highest percentage of cases, but the chance of death among snakebites was higher. Envenomation predominated in females with age between 20 and 49 years old. Children and elderly showed a higher chance of death. Most victims were bitten on the extremities of the limbs and received medical care within 0-1 hour after being bitten. The main local and systemic symptoms reported were pain and headache, respectively. Cases were mostly classified as mild and progressed to cure. Few victims show local and systemic complications. The high number of accidents with venomous animals shows that Rio Grande do Norte may be an important risk area for such injuries. Furthermore, this study provides data for the development of health actions to promote control and prevention of these injuries in this region.

Epidemiology of envenomation by Africanized honeybees in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: In the American continent, accidents caused by honeybees are a public health problem due to the high incidence and severity of the cases. Despite its medical importance, there are few epidemiological studies on this topic in Brazil, especially referring to the Northeastern states. The present study aims to describe the epidemiological features of honeybee envenomation cases in the state of the Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2014. METHODS: Data were collected from the Notifiable Diseases Information System database of the Health Department of Rio Grande do Norte. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 2,168 cases. Cases occurred in all months of the years studied, reaching higher frequencies from June to October. Most incidents happened in urban areas and involved men, with victims aged between 20 and 39 years. Victims were mainly stung on the head and hand, and they received medical care predominantly within 3 hours after the injury. Local manifestations were more frequent than systemic ones. Clinically, most cases were mild and progressed to cure. CONCLUSION: The high number of honeybee sting cases shows that Rio Grande do Norte may be an important risk area for such injury.

Epidemiology of envenomation by Africanized honeybees in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil / Epidemiologia dos envenenamentos por abelhas africanizadas no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Nordeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT: Introduction: In the American continent, accidents caused by honeybees are a public health problem due to the high incidence and severity of the cases. Despite its medical importance, there are few epidemiological studies on this topic in Brazil, especially referring to the Northeastern states. The present study aims to describe the epidemiological features of honeybee envenomation cases in the state of the Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2014. Methods: Data were collected from the Notifiable Diseases Information System database of the Health Department of Rio Grande do Norte. Results: We analyzed a total of 2,168 cases. Cases occurred in all months of the years studied, reaching higher frequencies from June to October. Most incidents happened in urban areas and involved men, with victims aged between 20 and 39 years. Victims were mainly stung on the head and hand, and they received medical care predominantly within 3 hours after the injury. Local manifestations were more frequent than systemic ones. Clinically, most cases were mild and progressed to cure. Conclusion: The high number of honeybee sting cases shows that Rio Grande do Norte may be an important risk area for such injury.

RESUMO: Introdução: No continente americano, os acidentes causados por abelhas são um problema de saúde pública devido à alta incidência e severidade dos casos. Apesar de sua importância médica, há poucos estudos epidemiológicos sobre esse tema no Brasil, especialmente referentes aos estados do Nordeste. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever as características epidemiológicas dos casos de envenenamento por abelhas no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, no Nordeste do Brasil, de 2007 a 2014. Metodologia: Os dados foram coletados da base de dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação da Secretaria Estadual de Saúde do Rio Grande do Norte. Resultados: Um total de 2.168 casos foram analisados. Os casos mostraram distribuição em todos os meses dos anos estudados, com maior frequência de junho a outubro. A maioria dos casos ocorreu em áreas urbanas e envolveu homens, com vítimas entre 20 e 39 anos de idade. As vítimas foram principalmente picadas na cabeça e na mão, e receberam assistência médica predominantemente dentro de 3 horas após serem picadas. As manifestações locais eram mais frequentes do que as sistêmicas. Clinicamente, a maioria dos casos foi leve e progrediu para cura. Conclusão: O alto número casos de picadas de abelhas mostra que o Rio Grande do Norte pode ser uma importante área de risco para tal incidente.

The epidemiology of snakebite in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil.

This report is a retrospective study of the epidemiology of snakebite cases recorded from 2007 to 2014 in the Rio Grande do Norte State, northeastern Brazil. Data was collected from the Injury Notification Information System database of the Health Department of Rio Grande do Norte. A total of 3,019 cases were studied. Cases were distributed over all months of the period studied and occurred mainly in rural areas. Snakes of the genus Bothrops, Crotalus, Micrurus, Lachesis and non-venomous snakes were responsible for 1,507, 185, 52, 6 and 673 cases, respectively. Snakebites predominated in males with age between 10 and 29 years old. Most victims were bitten on the feet and received medical assistance within 1-3 h after being bitten. Cases were mostly classified as mild and progressed to cure. Envenomation by snakebite in Rio Grande do Norte is an environmental public health problem that needs to be monitored and controlled throughout the year. Additionally, the training of health professionals is urgent in order to improve the registration of epidemiological information and medical care to victims.

Epidemiological study of scorpion stings in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil.

This communication is a retrospective epidemiological study of the scorpion sting cases recorded from 2007 to 2014 in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil. The data was collected from the Injury Notification Information System database of the Health Department of Rio Grande do Norte State. A total of 20,555 cases were studied. The cases were distributed over all months of the period studied and occurred mainly in urban areas. Victims were predominantly 20-29 year-old women. Most victims were stung on the foot and received medical care within 1-3 h after being stung. The cases were mostly classified as mild and progressed to cure. Scorpion stings in Rio Grande do Norte State are an environmental public health problem that needs to be monitored and controlled throughout the year.