Mortality caused by venomous animals in Venezuela (2000-2009): new epidemiological pattern

Introduction. Accidents caused by venomous animals occur with high frequency in poor communities with limited access to health services, are registered as neglected diseases and stand out as important causes of morbidity and mortality in various nations of the world, including Venezuela. Objective. We aimed at assessing mortality as a result of traumatic contact with venomous animals in Venezuela during the period 2000-2009 (X20-X29 series). Materials and methods. Data were obtained from the mortality annual records of the Venezuelan Ministry of Health. Results. Were recorded 759 fatalities, with the highest event rate taking place in 2009. Snake bites (323; 42.6%) accounted for the largest percentage of envenomation-related deaths in that period, followed by hymenopteran stings (170; 22.4%), centipede bites (106; 14.0%), and scorpion stings (76; 10.0%). The median value of envenomation-related, overall mortality rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) for that period was 0.285 deaths, corresponding 0.120 to snake bites; 0.065 to hymenopteran stings, 0.035 to centipede bites, and 0.025 to scorpion stings. Conclusions. Considering previous records of animal envenomations in Venezuela, we provide evidence indicating a shift in the pattern of mortality towards a significant increase in the number of deaths due to centipede bites (now the third cause of envenomation-related mortality in Venezuela), and the decline of scorpionism, now occupying the fourth place in mortality.