Citation

Bouree P, Joseph PF, Joseph PF, Gil RE, Fils-Aime F, Barrera RR, Goyffon M. Sante 2005; 15(4): 217-223.

Vernacular Title

Les piqures de scorpion: un probleme de sante publique a Morelos (Mexique).

Affiliation

Unite des maladies parasitaires et tropicales, CHU de Bicetre, Faculte de medecine Paris-Sud, 78, rue du Général Leclerc, 94275 Kremlin-Bicêtre France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, John Libbey Eurotext)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16478699

Abstract

Scorpion stings represent a major public health problem in Mexico. Their annual incidence is estimated at 150,000 cases; 800-1,000 people die from them each year, 72.5 % of whom are children younger than 5 years old. The states most affected are Aguascalientes, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoaca¡n, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Sinaloa, and Zacatecas. Morelos is an endemic zone, and scorpion stings are relatively frequent, but the indigenous population underestimates the risks. In this locality, scorpion stings lead to high morbidity, with an average of 10,219 cases each year, and a prevalence varying from 584.86 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1994 to 2043.3 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2003. Because of this upsurge, systematic medical supervision and serum therapy are necessary if scorpion poisoning is suspected in a child. The indigenous community as well as tourists visiting Mexico must be informed about the substantial risk of scorpion poisoning.