Epidemiological mapping of venomous animal injuries in the South Mato Grosso Pantanal

Abstract

Objective: To map epidemiological indicators of venomous animal injuries in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study based on epidemiological data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. Accidents involving venomous animals in the municipalities of the South Mato Grosso Pantanal between 2007 and 2022 were analyzed using descriptive statistics for data processing. This study was exempt from Research Ethics Committee review. Results: A total of 6,322 accidents were recorded, with a predominance of scorpions (47.15%) and snakes (27.13%). Corumbá led the notifications, except for snakebites, which were more prevalent in the municipality of Aquidauana. Seasonality showed a peak in March and a reduction in July. The predominant profile was male, aged 20-39 years. Cases were mostly mild (78%), received medical care within the first hour (56.8%), and resulted in recovery (93.5%). Eleven deaths were recorded during the study period. Conclusion: The epidemiological scenario in the South Mato Grosso Pantanal reveals a persistent incidence of venomous animal injuries over the years. Gaps in records and notifications, combined with failures in species identification, demonstrate the need for professional training and targeted public policies. Improving data quality and prioritizing immediate care are essential to reducing morbidity and mortality in the region.