Brazil had about 100 thousand cases of accidents by bees in the last 5 years

accidents by bees are defined by the poisoning caused by the injection of toxins by the insect’s stinger.

In the last five years, Brazil has recorded about 100,000 cases of accidents of this type, according to data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan), released by the Ministry of Health this Friday (11). Among the registered cases, 303 were fatal.

Poisoning varies by the amount of poison absorbed and sensitivity to an allergic reaction to the poison, according to the ministry. The clinical picture of a single bee sting ranges from simple local inflammation to a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms of bee accidents

In general, local toxic reactions are associated with pain, swelling and swelling and red patches on the skin.

However, when there are multiple bites, patients may present systemic conditions, due to the large amount of inoculated venom. In these cases, the symptoms are itching, redness, general heat, blisters, low blood pressure, tachycardia, headache, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps, and airway closure. In more severe cases, shock, acute respiratory failure, muscle fiber destruction and kidney damage can occur.

The diagnosis of accidents caused by bees is made by clinical reports. The doctor assesses the severity of patients and advises on the need for additional tests.

The treatment varies according to the severity of the manifestations presented. In cases of anaphylactic shock, the approach should be done immediately by emergency health services.

Among the five main types of accidents by venomous animals, the one caused by bees is the only one that does not have a specific serum for the treatment, but there are studies about its production.

How to avoid accident by bees?

The Ministry of Health advises that the removal of bee colonies in public places or homes must be carried out by properly trained and equipped professionals, preferably at night or at dusk, when the insects are calm.

In addition, the proximity of bee hives should be avoided in the absence of adequate clothing and equipment, which include coveralls, gloves, mask, boots and fumigator.

See other recommendations to avoid accidents

• Avoid walking and running on the bees’ flight path;
• Avoid noises, strong perfumes, deodorants and dark colors, which trigger the aggressive behavior of bees;
• Sounds of garden equipment engines irritate bees;
• In the field, pay attention to the presence of bees, especially when plowing the land with tractors.

Why do bees attack?

In addition to the production of honey and various products for human consumption, bees have an essential role in plant pollination. However, they also defend colonies and form societies with a queen, several drones and workers, which are the ones that can sting people.

They lose their stinger when stinging and then die. As they have their own muscles, the stinger continues to inject the venom even after separating from the rest of the body. When attacking in the vicinity of a swarm, the first bees release a pheromone that causes others to attack the same target, which can cause an accident with hundreds of stings.

Epidemiological situation

Bees are present in all Brazilian territories. The regions with the highest incidence rates are the South and Northeast, but the highest lethality rates occur in the Midwest and North regions, according to estimates by the Ministry of Health.

According to the ministry, in general, accidents tend to happen more frequently between October and March, usually in urban areas.

Among the victims of the attacks are men aged between 20 and 64 years, with the most frequent deaths in people over 40 years old.

Risk factors for severity involve the amount of stings and predisposition to anaphylactic shock. In case of an emergency, it is necessary to immediately contact the Mobile Emergency Service (SAMU 192) or the Fire Department (193).