Incidence and severity of scorpion stings in Algeria

Laïd Y (1, 2), Boutekdjiret L (1), Oudjehane R (1), Laraba-Djebari F (3, 4), Hellal H (2, 5), Guerinik M (2, 6), Griene L (2, 7), Alamir B (2, 8, 9), Merad R (10), Chippaux JP (11, 12)

(1) National Institute of Public Health, Environmental Health Unit, Algiers, Algeria; (2) National Committee on Control of Scorpion Envenomations (CNLES), Algeria; (3) Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology - Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers, Algeria; (4) Institute Pasteur in Algeria, Algiers, Algeria; (5) General Administration of Prevention and Health Promotion, Algiers, Algeria; (6) Service of Surgical Emergencies, Mustapha Teaching Hospital, Algiers, Algeria; (7) Service of Hormonology, Pierre and Marie Curie Center, Algiers, Algeria; (8) National Center of Toxicology, Algiers, Algeria; (9) Department of Toxicology, Bab El Oued Teaching Hospital, Algiers, Algeria; (10) Algerian Society of Toxicology, Algiers, Algeria; (11) Center for the Study and Research of Malaria Associated with Pregnancy and Childhood (Cerpage), Cotonou, Benin; (12) Institute of Research for Development (IRD - UMR 216 "Mother and child facing tropical diseases"), Cotonou, Benin.

Abstract: Scorpion stings are a public health problem in the Maghreb region. In Algeria, epidemiological data were collected over the past twenty years by the Algerian health authorities. This study is an analysis of morbidity and mortality data collected from 2001 to 2010. Annual incidence and mortality due to scorpion envenoming were 152 ± 3.6 stings and 0.236 ± 0.041 deaths per 100,000 people (95% CI), respectively. The risk of being stung by a scorpion was dramatically higher in southern areas and central highlands due to environmental conditions. Incidence of envenoming was especially higher in the adult population, and among young males. In contrast, mortality was significantly higher among children under 15 years, particularly ages 1-4. Upper limbs were more often affected than lower limbs. Most stings occurred at night, indoors and during the summer. Data collected since 2001 showed a reduction of mortality by nearly 50%, suggesting that the medical care defined by the national anti-scorpion project is bearing fruit.

Key words: scorpion, stings, envenoming, deaths, epidemiology, management, Algeria.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: August 31, 2012.

Accepted: November 5, 2012.

Abstract published online: November 9, 2012.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The Ministry of Public Health, Alger, Algeria provided the financial grants.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Youcef Laïd, INSP, 4 Chemin El Bakr, El Biar,Alger, Algérie. Phone: +213 21 94 52 71. Email: youceflaid@yahoo.fr.