Envenomings Caused By Venomous Animals In Roraima: A Neglected Health Problem In The Brazil’s Northernmost State

Abstract

A Neglected Health Abstract Accidents caused by venomous animals are an important global neglected disease with high impact in Brazilian Amazon. The sub- stantial numbers of envenomings registered in the Amazon region can be explained by the optimal conditions for the venomous fauna ( e.g climate), however, the numbers are underestimated owing to extensive under-reporting. This study carried out an epidemiological study of envenomings caused by venomous animals in the state of Roraima, the Brazil’s Northernmost state within a typical vegetation of Amazon rainforest. Envenomings by venomous animals between 2013 and 2016 were collected from 15 municipalities of Roraima and statistically analyzed using different parameters. Data were collected from the National Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). During the studied period, Roraima presented 2,239 envenomings within venomous animals, with most of them registered in the capital Boa Vista. In addition, male victims between 20 and 39-years old prevailed. Regarding the length of time between the accident and therapy ( i.e antivenom administration), 72.7% of the victims were treated in less than 6 hours. Fortunately, most of the Roraima en- venomings were classified as mild, with exception to snakebites, in which victims were associated to present moderate envenomings, although deaths were considered rare. The high incidence of en- venomings caused by venomous animals in Roraima, as well as the induced-moderate severity in victims of snakebites,contribute to the knowledge of the local reality, which is needed to advocate mea sures that aim to reduce the accidents by venomous animal attacks and promote therapeutic measures, such as supplying of specific antivenoms in places where they are most required.