Scorpions on the March: Brazil Grapple with a Stinging Crisis
Scorpions are invading Brazilian cities due to rapid urbanisation and climate change, with over 1.1 million stings reported in the last decade.
If you thought rats in the rafters or cockroaches in your cornflakes were bad enough, spare a thought for Brazil – where scorpions, of all things, are apparently setting up shop in sewers and squeezing themselves into every nook and cranny of the urban sprawl. According to a new paper published in Frontiers in Public Health, these venomous squatters are thriving in the very cracks of Brazilian cities, thanks to rapid urbanisation, climate chaos, and a good old-fashioned disregard for waste disposal.
A Sting in the Tale
More than 1.1 million Brazilians were stung between 2014 and 2023. Let that number sink in. That’s not just a few folks forgetting to shake out their boots – that’s a public health headache with pincers. In fact, researchers reported a 250% rise in stings over that period, and say that the real number could be far higher, as many sufferers prefer to grit their teeth and ride it out at home. Brave or barmy? That’s up for debate.
The main culprits behind this scuttling scourge are not your average back-garden arachnids but rather urban-dwelling species that have found paradise in favelas and fast-growing cityscapes. These aren’t the sort to shy away from civilisation – quite the opposite. Brazil’s haphazard expansion has created a veritable buffet of dark, damp hiding spots filled with cockroach canapés.
Where There’s Rubble, There’s Trouble
“Cities unintentionally offer everything scorpions need,” explains Dr Manuela Berto Pucca from São Paulo State University. That’s walls to nest in, drains to skulk through, and a smorgasbord of six-legged snacks. Toss in a sewer system that’s warm, predator-free, and brimming with bugs, and you’ve got yourself a five-star hotel for a yellow scorpion.
To make matters worse, some of these crafty critters don’t even need a mate to multiply. They can reproduce solo, live for more than a year without food, and aren’t easily fazed by a spell of dry weather. Quite frankly, they’re the Bear Grylls of the insect world – minus the camera crew.
Climate: The Cherry on the Scorpion Cake
Scorpions love the heat. And thanks to climate change, there’s plenty of it to go around. The Brazilian summer’s getting toastier, and periods of intense rain and drought are now part of the usual weather menu. For a creature that prefers warm and humid conditions, it’s like moving from a bedsit to a beachfront bungalow.
Provisional 2024 data suggests that nearly 200,000 people have already been stung this year alone, with 133 deaths reported. And between now and 2033? Hold onto your flip-flops – researchers predict another 2 million stings.
A Bite-Sized Public Health Crisis
While the death rate from scorpion stings remains low – around 0.1% – it’s the vulnerable who suffer most. Children and the elderly are especially at risk, with even a small sting capable of turning deadly. Others might just get away with several days of pain, nausea, and a distinct lack of cheer.
Dr Pucca, who has worked in some of the hardest-hit areas, warns: “The numbers showed us that in the future the problem will be bigger than it is now.” A cheery thought for those trying to sleep in high-density housing surrounded by walls made of hope and leftover bricks.
How Not to Be a Mug
Fortunately, prevention is still the best medicine. Keep things tidy, avoid letting drains become damp doorways, and always check your shoes, towels, and trousers before slipping them on. Scorpions may be uninvited guests, but they’re not invincible.
And if you are stung? Don’t dither. The Brazilian health system offers free treatment, and some hospitals even have anti-venom on hand. “Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen,” advises Prof Eliane Arantes. “Get yourself to a clinic sharpish.”
Not the Villains You Think
Despite their fearsome reputation, scorpions aren’t out for revenge. “They’re not our enemies,” insists Pucca. “They act defensively, not offensively.” Like foxes in the bins, they’re just trying to survive in a world that’s changing faster than they can scuttle.
As Professor Nibedita Ray-Bennett of the Avoidable Deaths Network puts it: this is a wake-up call. And not just for Brazil. With climate change galloping ahead, what’s scurrying into Brazilian drains today might end up in our gardens tomorrow. Best to mind your step – and your slippers.
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