Latest news with #ManuelaBertoPucca
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scorpions are taking over Brazilian cities
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scorpions are "taking over" Brazil's cities, scientists have warned. And with these infestations comes a huge rise in stinging incidents, some of them fatal, and often caused by Brazilian yellow scorpions, known for their extremely toxic venom. Climate change and urbanisation have been blamed for the exploding scorpion population and, experts say, it might already be impossible to stop. More than 1.1 million scorpion stings were reported in Brazil between 2014 and 2023: with a 155% rise in reports over that period, according to a study published in Frontiers in Public Health. The surge in numbers is "driven by rapid, unplanned urbanisation", said The Guardian. The sprawl of "high-density housing" encroaches on scorpions' natural habitats in the wild, and "poor waste disposal" creates new environments where they can "thrive". This "rampant urbanisation" also "scares away scorpions' natural predators, such as lizards and birds", and "boosts the number of available cockroaches", which make "tasty meals" for the arachnids, said As a result, scorpions have become "the most lethal venomous animal" in Brazil, with 152 deaths from scorpion stings last year, compared to 140 deaths from snake bites. The native Brazilian yellow scorpion is the most deadly scorpion in South America: its venom can kill a human within a few hours. And as climate change raises temperatures, these creatures are "more active, eating more and reproducing more". Venomous scorpions have "already claimed their place, alongside violent crime and brutal traffic" as the "chronic problems" Brazilian city-dwellers must "cope with daily", wrote Hamilton Coimbra Carvalho, a researcher at the University of São Paulo, on The Conversation in 2019. The government seems "ill-equipped" for the "Herculean, if not downright impossible", task of tackling the infestations, with no plan other than "tepid" efforts to train health officials in "scorpion risk". It's likely already to be "too late" to stop the spread of scorpions across Brazil's cities. But the arachnids are "not our enemies", Manuela Berto Pucca, from São Paulo State University, told The Guardian. As "part of the natural world", they play "essential ecological roles", from "controlling pest populations to maintaining biodiversity". And, crucially for the humans who live alongside them, they "act defensively, not offensively".
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Scorpion stings surge in Brazil, up 250%: Researcher warn
Listen to article Brazilian cities are experiencing an alarming surge in scorpion populations, researchers have warned, with unplanned urbanisation and climate breakdown fuelling a sharp rise in human-sting encounters. Between 2014 and 2023, more than 1.1 million scorpion stings were officially reported, according to the Brazilian notifiable diseases information system. That figure marks a 250% increase over the past decade, signalling what experts now consider a public health crisis. The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, attributes the increase to Brazil's rapid and often unregulated urban growth. In densely populated informal settlements such as favelas — where infrastructure is weak and waste management is poor — scorpions have found ideal conditions to thrive. 'Urbanisation in Brazil has profoundly reshaped ecosystems,' said lead author Dr Manuela Berto Pucca, an assistant professor at São Paulo State University. 'Cities unintentionally offer everything scorpions need: plenty of shelter in walls, drains, and debris, warmth, and an abundant food supply in the form of cockroaches and other insects.' A perfect habitat Scorpions particularly favour sewer systems, which provide constant warmth, limited predators, and access to food. Their resilience makes them difficult to eradicate: some species can survive for more than 400 days without food and can reproduce without mating, a process known as parthenogenesis. These characteristics, coupled with warmer temperatures, intense rainfall, and periods of drought — all intensified by climate change — have boosted scorpion survival rates and reproduction cycles. Preliminary data for 2024 suggests that scorpions caused nearly 200,000 stings and 133 deaths in Brazil in that year alone. The study projects 2 million additional sting cases between 2025 and 2033 if current conditions persist. But researchers caution that the true numbers may be significantly higher, as many Brazilians opt for self-treatment or never report their stings. 'I've been working in places where scorpion stings are a daily fear, especially in poor and crowded areas,' said Pucca. 'The numbers showed us that in the future the problem will be bigger than it is now.' Vulnerable populations at risk Though only 0.1% of reported stings are fatal, vulnerable populations — particularly children and the elderly — face higher risks. In many cases, the sting causes intense pain, burning, swelling, redness, nausea, and tingling, symptoms that may persist for days. Brazil's public health system provides free treatment and anti-venom, available in emergency care centres and hospitals across the country. Still, researchers are calling for more robust public health interventions, including education, infrastructure improvements, and pest control initiatives. 'If someone is stung, don't wait for symptoms to worsen – go to the nearest healthcare facility immediately,' said Prof Eliane Candiani Arantes, a co-author from the University of São Paulo. Not enemies, but survivors Despite the rising danger, experts stress that scorpions are not inherently aggressive. They sting in self-defence and play an important ecological role by controlling pest populations and supporting urban biodiversity. 'They are not our enemies,' Pucca said. 'These animals act defensively, not offensively. They're part of the natural world and play essential ecological roles.' Prevention and preparedness Simple public health measures can help reduce encounters. Experts recommend sealing wall cracks, checking clothes, shoes, and towels, keeping homes clean and dry, and using drain screens to block access from sewers. Dr Manuela González-Suárez, an ecologist at Reading University, who was not involved in the study, said the data is striking. 'The numbers are much higher than I would expect... this is a significant increase,' she said, while also noting that increased awareness may have led to more reports. Prof Nibedita Ray-Bennett of the University of Leicester, and president of the Avoidable Deaths Network, said the study underscores the need for urgent and coordinated action at the policy level. 'This issue is not just environmental; it is socio-economic and political,' she said. A regional issue with wider implications The authors warn that Brazil is not alone. Countries across South and Central America, including Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Guyana, and Venezuela, have seen a 'particularly alarming rise in scorpionism' in recent decades. In Europe, more than 35 native scorpion species are known to exist, though no comprehensive studies have yet been done on population trends or sting data. As global temperatures continue to rise and cities expand further into wild habitats, scientists say similar public health concerns may emerge elsewhere if proactive measures aren't taken.
The Guardian
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Scorpions ‘taking over' Brazilian cities with reported stings rising 250%
Scorpions are 'taking over' Brazilian cities, researchers have warned in a paper that said rapid urbanisation and climate breakdown were driving an increase in the number of people being stung. More than 1.1m stings were reported between 2014 and 2023, according to data from the Brazilian notifiable diseases information system. There was a 250% increase in reports of stings from 2014 to 2023, according to research published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. The rise in cases has been driven by rapid, unplanned urbanisation – such as favelas – characterised by high-density housing and poor waste disposal, according to the research. Although urban areas are encroaching on wild habitats where scorpions already live, they are also creating new environments in which to thrive. 'Urbanisation in Brazil has profoundly reshaped ecosystems,' said the lead researcher, Manuela Berto Pucca, an assistant professor at São Paulo State University. 'Cities unintentionally offer everything scorpions need: plenty of shelter (in walls, drains, rubble and construction debris), consistent warmth, and a reliable food supply in the form of cockroaches and other urban invertebrates.' They particularly like sewers, which are warm year-round, home to almost no predators and provide plenty of food, especially cockroaches. Some species of scorpion can survive for up to 400 days without food and are able to reproduce without mating, making them difficult to eradicate. Scorpions thrive in urban environments such as sewers, which are warm and humid and have a ready food supply in the form of cockroaches. Photograph: Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images Hotter summers, and periods of intense rainfall and drought, also help them thrive as they are adapted to warm and humid environments. Provisional data for 2024 suggests scorpions were responsible for nearly 200,000 stings and 133 deaths in Brazil. In total, researchers projected 2m new cases between 2025 and 2033. 'The real scale of this issue is likely far greater than the recorded statistics suggest,' researchers said, as many people choose to treat themselves at home, or forgo treatment. 'I've been working in places where scorpion stings are a daily fear, especially in poor and crowded areas,' said Pucca. 'The numbers showed us that in the future the problem will be bigger than it is now.' Researchers said that 0.1% of reported stings result in death, and children and elderly people are most vulnerable. Healthy people generally make a full recovery, but can suffer from pain and discomfort for several days. Symptoms include pain, burning, swelling, redness, tingling and nausea. Previous research modelling the distribution of scorpions in Brazil showed the potential to expand their habitats into urban areas driven by a warmer, wetter climate. Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Guyana and Venezuela have witnessed a 'particularly alarming rise in scorpionism [the medical condition resulting from a sting] over recent decades, evolving into a significant public health crisis', the researchers of the new study said. In Europe there are believed to be more than 35 native species of scorpion, although there is no comprehensive research on population trends. Researchers said prevention was key. 'Scorpions thrive in cluttered, humid environments. Keep areas clean, seal cracks in walls, use screens on drains and always check shoes, towels and clothes before using them,' said Pucca. Dr Manuela González-Suárez, an ecologist at Reading University who was not involved in the research, said: 'The numbers are much higher than I would expect, in the sense that this is a significant increase.' However, she said awareness of an issue could also result in more reporting. González-Suárez added that people should not be unduly alarmed by the research: 'Many people who are stung do not have severe or lethal reactions and mortality rates are relatively low compared with, for example, those due to road accidents or violent crimes.' Scorpion anti-venoms are available at some Brazilian hospitals and people are urged to seek treatment immediately if stung. Photograph: Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty The Brazilian health system provides free treatment for scorpion stings, and anti-venom is available at some hospitals and emergency centres. 'If someone is stung, don't wait for symptoms to worsen – go to the nearest healthcare facility immediately,' said one of the paper's authors, Prof Eliane Candiani Arantes from the University of São Paulo. 'All people are vulnerable, especially children, because just one small sting can kill a child,' she said. Prof Nibedita Ray-Bennett, at the University of Leicester, who is president of the Avoidable Deaths Network, said the study underscored 'the urgent need for action'. Pucca said one of the most widespread misconceptions about scorpions was that they were our enemies. 'They are not. These animals act defensively, not offensively. They're part of the natural world and play essential ecological roles, from controlling pest populations to maintaining biodiversity.' Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage
