Scorpion Stings Surge in Morocco as Summer Heat Intensifies, Experts Warn

In certain regions of Morocco, several children have lost their lives following scorpion stings and due to the lack of antidote in local health centers and hospitals. "In Morocco, and especially in the southern areas, hospitals are seeing a remarkable increase in cases of scorpion stings, hence the importance of raising awareness on this subject," explained Marwa Lazrak, resident physician at the Military Hospital of Meknes, to Hespress.

For the specialist, any scorpion sting must be treated properly at the risk of becoming fatal, especially when it is a sting from the Landreau Canthus Mauritania Cusses and Bus Tusse au Cul Tanus scorpions, the most widespread and dangerous in Morocco. The scorpion sting presents symptoms related to the inoculation area (redness, pain, local numbness), related to a generalized reaction (fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, acceleration of the heart rate, etc.) and to a failure of vital functions (respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, convulsions), details the doctor.

"The treatment differs from one stage to another, in general first aid is necessary. It is therefore necessary to keep the patient calm, reassure him and confirm the sting. It is also necessary to take into account the time elapsed since the sting, a delay of four hours makes it possible to eliminate any possibility of envenomation. It is necessary to disinfect the sting area locally with a non-alcoholic antiseptic. A cold compress can also be applied to the sting to relieve the pain," added Marwa Lazrak.

To prevent scorpion stings, the doctor recommends avoiding walking barefoot, especially at night, and checking shoes, sheets and clothes before use. She also calls for the use of an appropriate insecticide around the house and to take care of children under 15, the most exposed to these often fatal stings. In Morocco, more than 30,000 cases of scorpion stings are recorded each year at the National Anti-Poison and Pharmacovigilance Center (CAPM).