Scorpion sting: a public health problem in El Kelaa des Sraghna (Morocco)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The present study aimed at verifying the impact of a Moroccan strategy against scorpion stings and specifically at identifying the epidemiological features of patients envenomed or just stung by scorpions. It included 11,907 patients from El Kelaa des Sraghna Province, Morocco, who were evaluated over five years (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005). Most stings occurred during the hot period and mainly at night. The average incidence was 3.2 per 1,000 inhabitants; patients ≤15 years accounted for 34%, and the envenomation rate was 12%. Average lethality rate was 0.7%. Our work evaluated the efficacy of the adopted strategy based on indicators of follow-up, morbidity and lethality due to scorpion sting and envenomation.

Risk factors for scorpion stings in the beni mellal province of morocco

“…The confluence of our data with those of the literature (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) emphasizes why the authorities and health personnel should intensify their efforts during this period.…”

Epidemiological and spatial analysis of scorpion stings in two regions of Morocco: Marrakesh-Tensift-Al Haouz and Souss-Massa-Draa

“…Beside the death number, the general lethality rate is an important indicator to evaluate the envenomation severity in an area or a country [12]. In Morocco, the general lethality rate was on an average of 0.40% over the five years of monitoring [12]. In our studied area, the general lethality rate was lower than the national rate (average 0.28%).…”

“…Previous epidemiological studies have shown that the most of scorpion stings occurred in the south and central-south provinces of the country, where the highest lethality rate was reported [12]. In this first comparative study, we used the GIS techniques and statistical analysis to establish the extent of scorpion envenomation in two high risk regions: Souss-Massa-Draa and Marrakesh-Tensift-Al Haouz.…”

“…According to the literature, a high lethality rate is always observed among the children due to the immaturity of both physiological systems and body's defenses and the ratio between venom dose injected and body weight [14]. Beside the death number, the general lethality rate is an important indicator to evaluate the envenomation severity in an area or a country [12]. In Morocco, the general lethality rate was on an average of 0.40% over the five years of monitoring [12].…”

“…However, the number of death cases showed a sharp decline after 2005. This may be attributed to the establishment of clinical audit system in the case of death in some provinces with high death incidence, in order to identify any irregularity in the adopted therapeutic procedures for envenomed patients and to solve it by improving the actions to be taken [12].…”