Predicting scorpion sting incidence in an endemic region using climatological variables *

Abstract

Scorpionism is a public health problem in several regions of the world. The highest mortality, with over 1000 deaths per year, has been reported in Mexico. We analysed the significance of climatological variables to predict the incidence of scorpion stings in humans in the state of Colima (Mexico) for the years 2000-2001. The pluvial precipitation (mm), the evaporation (mm), and the mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures (degrees C) were obtained from local meteorological offices. There are approximately 3 stings/year per 1000 people in municipalities of Colima and Villa de Alvarez and about 18-30 stings/year per 1000 people in the rest of the municipalities. There is very little rain and there are few stings in the winter when the minimum temperature is below about 16 degrees C. The number of scorpion stings is independent of the actual rainfall when this is above 30 mm/month. Using multiple linear regression, we used a backward model selection procedure to estimate that the minimum temperature is correlated with scorpion sting incidence with a statistically significance of 95%. We briefly discuss the application of predictive models of scorpion sting incidence in the appropriate allocation of antivenom serum in hospital clinics.

Chemical Control of Spiders and Scorpions in Urban Areas

“…Climate is an essential predictor: in Colima State, there is very little rain and there are few stings in the winter when the minimum temperature is below about 16 °C. The number of scorpion stings is independent of the actual rainfall when this is above 30 mm/month [159]. The demographic factor is also significant.…”

“…The seasonal peak of stings lasts from March to June, i.e. at the end of the dry season, when the climate is hot [158,159]. Climate is an essential predictor: in Colima State, there is very little rain and there are few stings in the winter when the minimum temperature is below about 16 °C.…”

Evolution of alternative methodologies of scorpion antivenoms production

“…In Latin America, incidence rates increase during summer months (Schenone and Fontecilla, 1998;De Roodt et al, 2003;Chowell et al, 2005) mostly in suburban areas (Celis et al, 2007;Schenone and Fontecilla, 1998), and involve primarily adults instead of children (Chowell et al, 2005;Celis et al, 2007). Due to the presence of many species adapted to urban habitats (e.g., Tityus trivittatus) many incidents occur in domiciles (De Roodt et al, 2003).…”

Scorpion sting envenomation, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India experience: new observations

“…Scorpion sting is a climatic (dry and hot) and professional (farming) hazard for Vijayapur and similar places 4 .Poor educational status of villagers (literacy rate 67%) makes prophylactic education less effective.…”