MORTALIDAD CAUSADA POR ANIMALES VENENOSOS EN VENEZUELA: 1980-1999 MORTALITY CAUSED BY VENOMOUS ANIMALS IN VENEZUELA: 1980-1999

This study reports the chronology and epidemiological pattern of human mortal accidents inflicted by venomous animals in Venezuela for the period 1980 to 1999. National mortality data were obtained by passive epidemiological surveillance through inspection of series E905 and X20 to X29, registered in the mortality and vital statistics yearly records, produced by the Venezuelan National Health System. The mortality rates per year and the average rate for the 20-year period per 100.000 inhabitants were assessed from the 1,494 deaths recorded in this period. The main cause of death was snakebite (n = 921; 61.6%), followed by envenoming by hymenoptera (n = 310; 20.7%) and scorpion stings (n = 185; 12.4%). The higher frequency of deaths due to snakebites corresponded to 1987 (62 cases), whereas for hymenoptera were in 1980 and 1991 (21 cases each) and 1995 for scorpions (18 cases). For any of these etiological factors mortality was higher for males (80.4%). The average annual mortality rate for the studied period (deaths per 100,000 inhabitants) per etiological agent was 0.24 (snakes), 0.08 (hymenoptera) and 0.05 (scorpions). These epidemiological data indicated that the accidents caused by venomous animals represent a collective health problem in Venezuela.