Now scorpion populations are booming all over Brazil, with reported stings up an alarming 250% from 2014 to 2023. According to 2024’s provisional data, almost 200,000 stings have been recorded leading to 133 deaths. Urbanization, climate change, and the scorpions’ special talents are all contributing. These conditions allow scorpions to flourish in developed areas.
In 2022, researchers reported that scorpions thrive in the warm, humid sewer conditions. These places offer plenty of cover and an almost unending food source, including lots of cockroaches. Scorpions are so resilient, they can live for 400 days without eating. They reproduce asexually, which makes it hard to control their populations.
Spanning from 2014 to 2023, over 1.1 million stings were reported in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Guyana, and Venezuela. From 2025 to 2033, researchers estimate there will be 2 million more cases. This alarming prediction makes clear that the time is now for impactful public health interventions.
As climate change increases temperatures and rainfall patterns across the state, conditions have become favorable for scorpions to flourish. As climate models foretell warmer and wetter conditions across the region, urban areas will continue to expand their scorpion populations exponentially. Dr. Manuela González-Suárez, a Brazilian ecologist at Reading University, explains the dramatic consequences that urbanization in Brazil has on ecosystems. This dramatic change has precipitated a nationwide spike in scorpion stings.
“The numbers are much higher than I would expect, in the sense that this is a significant increase.” – Dr. Manuela González-Suárez
Vulnerable populations like children and the elderly are more likely to experience severe reactions to scorpion stings. While less than 0.1% of reported stings cause death, even one sting can prove fatal for a child.
“All people are vulnerable, especially children, because just one small sting can kill a child.” – Prof Eliane Candiani Arantes
Brazil’s public, universal healthcare system is rising to the challenge to fight the mounting public health disaster. They are providing free treatment for scorpion stings in hospitals and emergency centers nationwide. Though anti-venom is available at select hospitals and urgent care centers, health professionals recommend seeking immediate medical attention after being stung.
“If someone is stung, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen – go to the nearest healthcare facility immediately.” – Prof Eliane Candiani Arantes
Public health officials are calling for prevention strategies to address this growing problem. Dr. Manuela Berto Pucca highlights that scorpions thrive in cluttered and humid environments and encourages individuals to maintain clean spaces.
“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.” – Pucca
Experts want to debunk the idea that all scorpion stings cause serious or even deadly reactions. That’s encouraging news, given the all-too-typical stats associated with these stings.
“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.” – Dr. Manuela González-Suárez
Scorpions are key contributors to their ecosystems, acting as both predators and prey, which helps to control pest populations and maintain biodiversity. Their growing use in streets populated by people has led to concerns about how they affect public safety.
“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.” – Manuela Berto Pucca
As Brazil continues to develop both environmentally and economically, vector-borne diseases represent an ever-increasing public health threat. We have a very short timeframe to make an impact and avert the dangers associated with scorpion stings, experts warn.