Epidemiology of snakebites in Colombia (2008-2016).

Leonardo José León-Núñez,Gabriel Camero-Ramos,José María Gutiérrez

doi:10.15446/rsap.v22n3.87005

Abstract

To describe the main epidemiological features of snakebites in Colombia during the period 2008 to 2016. A retrospective (quantitative) descriptive analytical empirical study was carried out, based on the official databases of the Public Health Surveillance in the Integral Information System of the Social Protection (SISPRO) and the Surveillance System in Public Health (Sivigila) of the reported cases of snakebites in Colombia for that period. In total, 37 066 cases were reported, with annual incidences ranging from 7.0 (2008) to 9.7 (2011 and 2012) cases per 100,000 population. Mortality rates ranged from 0.059 (2013) to 0.091 (2011) deaths per 100 000 population, with case fatality rates ranging from 0.6% (2013) to 1.0% (2010). Indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations were highly affected, and highest incidences occurred in males, and in people living in rural areas. The average age of affected people is 31.7 years (95% CI 28.3 34.5). The regions with higher incidence are Amazonia and Orinoquia. Species of the genus Bothrops are responsible for the highest number of bites (64.5%), owing to their wide distribution in Colombia. Regarding clinical manifestations, pain and edema were observed in 86.9% and 78.8% of patients, respectively. Cellulitis and abscesses were the most frequent local complications of these envenomings. Results underscore the relevance of snakebite envenoming in Colombia, and provide information for improving the public health attention to these envenoming.

Highlights

In the interval 2008 to 2016, a total of 37,066 cases of snakebites were reported in Colombia, with a range of 38 to 120 cases per epidemiological week
There was a trend for increase in the number of bites along this period, with an R2 value of 0.82, with peaks of incidence for the years 2011, 2012 and 2016 (Figure 1).The highest incidences occurred in males, with an incremental trend (R2 0.7), with male/ female ratios ranging from 2.4 to 2.7 along this period (Figure 2)
The mean age of people suffering snakebites in Colombia in this period was 31.7 years, with a median age of 28.9 years

Summary

Introduction

In the Americas, an overall incidence and mortality rate of 6.2 and 0.04 per 100,000 population per year, respectively, were described, with a case fatality rate of 0.64% (4). Previous reports in this country indicate incidences of 6 to 8.5 cases per 100,000 population per year, with a case fatality rate ranging from 1 to 3% (5). Based on various sources of epidemiological information, Chippaux (4) reported for Colombia, in the period 2009 to 2014, incidence and mortality rate of 8.69 and 0.073 per 100,000 population per year, respectively, with a case fatality rate of 0.84%.

Results

Conclusion