Envenomation

Habitat

Ecology

Biology

Venom

Scorpion

Environmental health

Buthidae

Geography

Population

Ecological niche

Medicine

Human health

Tropical Medicine & International Health

Objective To identify areas that present a higher risk of exposure to accidents with scorpions in Brazil. Methods We used techniques of spatial prioritisation to determine the most vulnerable localities to envenomation by four scorpion species. Our prioritisation integrated ecological niche models with health investment, antivenin availability, access to health care facilities and metrics of human impact data. Results The ecological niche models indicated that three scorpion species ( Tityus bahiensis, Tityus serrulatus , and Tityus stigmurus ) are more associated with human population density, while T . obscurus demonstrated a strong association with temperature variations during the year. Spatial prioritisation indicated that the areas with higher risk exposure to accidents with scorpions are in northern and northeastern Brazil. Alternatively, more isolated but densely populated areas in the southeastern and central regions also emerged as a priority. Conclusion Mapping areas where humans are more likely to interact with scorpions can assist in the design of efficient public health policies.

Vulnerable areas to accidents with scorpions in Brazil