Frequent accidents in certain regions and whose consequences are not well controlled by the country’s health systems, scorpion stings are a concern. Faced with a resurgence of these fatal bites in this period of heat wave, a question arises and imposes itself: What to do to prevent rather than cure?
Summer does not necessarily mean a festive mood and a pleasant atmosphere. In some regions of Morocco, the summer season represents a perpetual danger for the inhabitants. Several children have lost their lives following scorpion bites, thus fueling the fear of the populations as to the absence of an antidote in the health centers and local hospitals. Among the victims, a 6-year-old girl from Azilal, who succumbed despite being transferred to the regional hospital in Beni Mellal, for lack of an antidote.
Questioned by MoroccoLatestNews UKMarwa Lazrak, resident doctor at the Meknes Military Hospital, explained to us that “in Morocco, and especially in the southern areas, hospitals are seeing a remarkable increase in cases of scorpion stings, hence the importance of raising awareness on this subject”.
There are several types of scorpions in Morocco. However, the Landreau Canthus Maurétanie Cusses remains the most dangerous, as well as the Bus Tusse au Cul Tanus, an equally widespread and dangerous type. Medically, not every sting necessarily means envenoming, but every sting can be serious and fatal if not treated properly, according to the specialist.
The situation is worrying given the increase in cases of bites, especially among the youngest. In Fkih Ben Salah, a little girl lost her life while playing near her home, while an infant died in Tata.
” There are three classes of scorpion sting symptoms“, she indicated, noting that the first class is characterized by immediate, localized and isolated symptoms at the point of inoculation (redness, pain, swelling or local numbness).
As for the second class, it is characterized by the presence of symptoms related to a generalized reaction (fever above 38°C, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, accelerated heart rate and sometimes priapism).
The third class, the most serious, reflects the failure of vital functions, where the patient may have respiratory failure, loss of consciousness or seizures, the doctor told us.
Regarding the local population who seeks to understand why hospitals located in regions conducive to the proliferation of these poisonous insects and reptiles are not sufficiently supplied with antidotes, some invoke unequal treatment of cases.
” Treatment differs from stage to stage, usually first aid is needed. It is therefore necessary to keep the patient calm, put him in confidence and confirm the injection. It is also necessary to take into account the time elapsed since the bite, a period of four hours eliminates any possibility of envenomation. The area of the bite should be locally disinfected with a non-alcoholic antiseptic. You can also apply a cold compress to the bite to relieve pain.“, underlined our speaker.
The specialist sounds the alarm about the traditional actions to avoid: Cutting, sucking or applying a tourniquet to the sting area.
When it comes to preventing scorpion stings, it’s first important to avoid areas known to harbor these predators, especially the more dangerous ones. It is also recommended not to walk barefoot, especially at night, and to check shoes, linens and clothing before using them.
In conclusion, the doctor stresses the importance of using an appropriate insecticide around the house and especially of monitoring children under 15, knowing that in Morocco, more than 30,000 cases of scorpion stings are listed each year. at the National Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center of Morocco (CAPM), some of which lead to the sudden death of children under 15 years of age.