Scorpions are taking over Brazilian cities, according to researchers who warn that rapid urbanization and climate change are driving up the number of stings. Over 1.1 million stings were reported in Brazil between 2014 and 2023, representing a 155% increase from 2014 to 2023, according to the Brazilian notifiable diseases information system.
The rise in cases is attributed to rapid, unplanned urbanization, such as in favelas, characterized by high-density housing and poor waste disposal. This creates new environments where scorpions can thrive. Cities unintentionally offer everything scorpions need, including shelter, consistent warmth, and a reliable food supply.
Scorpions prefer sewers, which are warm year-round, have almost no predators, and provide plenty of food, particularly cockroaches. Some species can survive up to 400 days without food and can reproduce without mating, making them difficult to eradicate.
Hotter summers and extreme weather conditions, such as intense rainfall and drought, also help scorpions thrive. Provisional data for 2024 suggests scorpions were responsible for nearly 200,000 stings and 133 deaths in Brazil. Researchers project 2 million new cases between 2025 and 2033, with the real scale of the issue likely far greater than reported statistics.
About 0.1% of reported stings result in death, with children and the elderly being most vulnerable. Healthy individuals generally recover, but may experience pain and discomfort for several days. Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Guyana, and Venezuela have witnessed a particularly alarming rise in scorpionism, evolving into a significant public health crisis.
Prevention is key, and people are advised to maintain clean areas, seal cracks in walls, use screens on drains, and always check shoes, towels, and clothes before use. Scorpion anti-venoms are available at some Brazilian hospitals, and people are urged to seek treatment immediately if stung.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/may/08/scorpion-stings-rise-brazil-cities-aoe
