Scorpions Surge Across Brazilian Cities, Posing Growing Public Health Threat

Brazil ,  May 8, 2025 — Brazil is witnessing a dramatic surge in scorpion-related incidents, with experts warning that the country is on the brink of a major public health crisis. A new peer-reviewed study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, reveals a 250% increase in reported scorpion stings over the past decade, driven by rapid urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure, and the escalating impacts of climate change.

According to data from Brazil’s Notifiable Diseases Information System, more than 1.1 million scorpion stings were recorded between 2014 and 2023. Preliminary figures for 2024 suggest the trend is accelerating, with nearly 200,000 stings and 133 confirmed deaths already reported.

Lead researcher Dr. Manuela Berto Pucca, assistant professor at São Paulo State University, attributes this surge to the country’s fast-paced and often unplanned urban expansion. “Urbanisation in Brazil has profoundly reshaped ecosystems,” Pucca noted. “Cities unintentionally offer everything scorpions need: ample shelter in construction debris and drains, consistent warmth, and an abundant food supply from cockroaches and other invertebrates.”

Favela communities, with high population density and limited public services, are especially vulnerable. Poor waste disposal, open drains, and cluttered surroundings create ideal breeding grounds for scorpions. Compounding the issue, some species can reproduce asexually and survive up to 400 days without food, making population control extremely challenging.

Climate change is another key driver. Hotter summers, interspersed with extreme rainfall and drought, have created favourable conditions for scorpions, which thrive in warm, humid environments. Researchers predict the number of stings could double in the coming years, projecting as many as 2 million new cases between 2025 and 2033.

While only about 0.1% of scorpion stings result in death, children and the elderly remain most at risk. Even for healthy individuals, symptoms such as intense pain, swelling, nausea, and numbness can persist for days. Many affected residents, particularly in low-income areas, opt to treat stings at home, leading researchers to warn that the actual number of cases is likely far higher than official records suggest.

“This is a problem that is growing, and will continue to grow,” said Pucca. “In many areas, especially poorer communities, scorpion stings are a daily fear.”

The phenomenon is not unique to Brazil. The study highlights a wider trend across Latin America, with countries such as Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Guyana, and Venezuela also experiencing a notable rise in scorpionism—a term used to describe the medical condition resulting from a sting.

Prevention, researchers stress, remains the most effective tool. Basic measures such as sealing wall cracks, using screens on drains, and avoiding clutter can significantly reduce risks. “Always check shoes, towels, and clothes before using them,” Pucca advised.

Dr. Manuela González-Suárez, an ecologist at the University of Reading who was not involved in the study, called the figures “alarming,” though she emphasized that increased awareness may also be contributing to the higher number of reports. “Mortality remains relatively low when compared to other causes such as road accidents or violence,” she said.

Still, the study underscores the urgency for targeted public health interventions, urban planning reforms, and climate resilience strategies to address what is rapidly becoming a critical environmental and societal challenge across the region.