In connection with the appearance of a yellow scorpion in Araquari, north of Santa Catarina, this Thursday the Sanitary Inspection Service issued a warning (4). This species is poisonous and was first discovered in the municipality this year. The agency reports where the animal appears most often and points residents to some precautions.

The animal has pale yellow legs and tail, and a dark torso – Photo: Araquari City Hall/Disclosure ND

Four cases of scorpion sightings have been reported in the municipality. In a warning, the secretariat reported that the scorpion causes serious accidents in the country with fatalities, mainly among children and the elderly.

The arachnids were discovered last Friday, aged 28, near the company’s warehouses in the Porto Grande area following reports from employees. The animal has pale yellow legs and tail and a dark body.

With the appearance of scorpions in urban areas, the population should be aware of accidents, according to the director of the Sanitary Inspection Service, Lukas Broyan. According to him, residents should be very careful and, upon seeing poisonous animals, under no circumstances maintain any contact until the fire department is called.

Typically, scorpions are found in places where debris accumulates, when food is available (insects such as cockroaches and crickets). It is common in sparsely forested urban areas, as there are no natural predators.

“The collection of the animal must be carried out safely, using personal protective equipment. Therefore, residents are not advised to carry out processing without proper protection, ”he explains. “In cases of accidents, the patient should immediately seek medical attention and get closer to the scene,” he concludes.

yellow scorpion

Tityus serrulatus, commonly known as the yellow scorpion, is a scorpion typical of the southeast, midwest, and northeast of Brazil; is the main species causing serious fatal accidents, mainly among children. It has pale yellow legs and tail and a dark torso.

Photo: Araquari City Hall/Disclosure ND

Recommendations in cases of contact with a scorpion

– Clean the area with soap and water;

– Immediately seek medical attention closer to the scene of the accident (at a polyclinic or a specialized hospital);

– If possible, trap the animal and bring it to the public health service, as identification of the scorpion that caused the accident can help in the diagnosis;

– Capture the animal using appropriate personal protective equipment.

What not to do?

– do not bandage and do not make a tourniquet;

– do not apply any substances to the bite site (faeces, alcohol, kerosene, tobacco, herbs, urine) and do not make dressings that cover the site, as they can contribute to infections;

– do not cut, pierce or cauterize the bite site;

– Do not give the victim alcoholic drinks or other liquids such as alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, etc., as they do not work against the poison and may worsen the condition.