Scorpionism in the State of Bahia, Brazil: A More Neglected Problem During the Pandemic?

Abstract

Introduction: During the confinement in the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the production of urban waste, increasing the risk of accidents caused by scorpions. We sought to determine the clinical and epidemiologic aspects of scorpionism records in the 7 mesoregions of the State of Bahia, Brazil, examining differences in periods before and during the pandemic.

Methods: Data were obtained from SINAN, Brazil's Notifiable Diseases Information System (January 2010-December 2021). Measures of morbidity (incidence and lethality) and mortality were evaluated, comparing the averages before (2018 and 2019) and during the pandemic (2020 and 2021). Sociodemographic data (ie, gender, age group, and race) and conditions of care (ie, time, classification, and evolution) were compared by mesoregion.

Results: A total of 159,982 cases of scorpionism were registered, with a higher proportion in the prepandemic period (P<0.05) and a higher average incidence in the Center South of Bahia (267.32; n=82,059; 51.29%). Most cases occurred in mixed-race individuals (61.73%), females (n=81,292; 51.22%), and individuals between 20 and 39 y of age (n=48,876; 30.55%) and most cases were classified as mild (n=136,816; 85.52%), were attended in <1 h (n=81,941; 51.22%), and progresses to cure (n=142,082; 88.81%). There were 263 deaths (0.16%), with a mortality rate of 1.77/100,000 inhabitants and a lethality of 0.16%.

Conclusion: It is suggested that during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the upward curve of accidents, social isolation measures and collective fear may have decreased the search for medical care after a scorpion sting, reducing notifications of the condition in the State of Bahia.