EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING VENOMOUS ANIMALS IN OEIRAS DO PARÁ: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES FOR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

Accidents involving venomous animals constitute an important public health problem, particularly in regions where environmental and occupational factors favor contact between the population and these animals. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of accidents involving venomous animals reported in the municipality of Oeiras do Pará, Pará State, Brazil, in 2025. This was a descriptive epidemiological, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, based on secondary data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). A total of 69 notifications were analyzed, considering sex, age group, education level, type of accident, animal species, time elapsed between the accident and medical care, case classification, and clinical outcome. The results showed a predominance of males, with 62 cases (89.8%), and a higher concentration among individuals aged 20–39 years, with 30 notifications, followed by those aged 40–59 years, with 21 cases. Snakebite accidents predominated, accounting for 59 notifications (85.5%), of which 58 were attributed to the genus Bothrops. Regarding the time elapsed until medical care, the 1–3-hour interval accounted for the largest number of cases (23; 33.3%), followed by 3–6 hours (20; 29.0%). Mild cases predominated (49; 71.0%), while 19 (27.5%) were classified as moderate and 1 (1.5%) as severe. Clinical recovery was observed in 68 of the 69 records (98.5%). The findings demonstrate an epidemiological profile characterized by the predominance of snakebite accidents and a higher occurrence among adult men, highlighting the importance of epidemiological surveillance, prevention, health education, notification data quality, and healthcare organization, particularly regarding the availability of antivenom therapy and timely medical care.