Epidemiologia dos acidentes com serpentes na região da Campanha do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

This work presents a study related to ophidian incidents occurred in seven municipalities of the Campanha region, Rio Grande do Sul State, from 2003 to 2009. Two hundred and forty (240) reports on incidents with vipers were analyzed, allowing the discussion about the variables referred to the animal which caused the incident, the place where it occurred, the characteristics of the person involved and the treatment. Most notified cases resulted from incidents with vipers of the genus Bothropoides and Rhinocerophis (80.4%). The locality with higher incidence was the municipality of São Gabriel (23.3%). Most incidents occurred in the rural zone (75%) with males rural workers (27.5%), ranging in age from 15 to 45 years old (20%). Legs were the most injured body (80%). The higher occurrence of incidents was observed in the months of January and Mars. The employed therapy (7.13 ampoules of serum/patient) was not compatible with the fact that the majority of the cases were considered mild (48%). All incidents evolved to cure without further complications.