Viperidae snakebites in Ecuador: A review of epidemiological and ecological aspects
Angélica Ochoa-Avilés,
Odalys S. Heredia-Andino,
Samuel A. Escandón,
Cristopher A. Celorio-Carvajal,
María C. Arias-Peláez,
Fausto Zaruma-Torres,
Cleópatra A. da S. Caldeira,
Andreimar M. Soares,
Saulo L. Da Silva
Affiliations
Angélica Ochoa-Avilés
Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
Odalys S. Heredia-Andino
College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
Samuel A. Escandón
College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
Cristopher A. Celorio-Carvajal
College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
María C. Arias-Peláez
College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
Fausto Zaruma-Torres
College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; Health Innovation Center - (CIS), Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
Cleópatra A. da S. Caldeira
Biotechnology Laboratory for Proteins and Bioactive Compounds from the Western Amazon, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rondonia, Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil; Graduate Program in Experimental Biology (PGBIOEXP), Federal University of Rondonia (UNIR), Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil
Andreimar M. Soares
Biotechnology Laboratory for Proteins and Bioactive Compounds from the Western Amazon, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rondonia, Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil; Graduate Program in Experimental Biology (PGBIOEXP), Federal University of Rondonia (UNIR), Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil
Saulo L. Da Silva
College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; Health Innovation Center - (CIS), Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; LAQV - REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Corresponding author. College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador.
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected disease of public health concern. Most snakebite accidents occur in developing countries. In Ecuador, 17 viper species are responsible for 99% of official accidents, and ten species are in critical conservation states. This report analyzes the snakebite incident cases and mortality rates in Ecuador between 2014 and 2019. The data obtained from the national surveillance system suggests that the incidence and mortality rates remained constant. The geographic region with the highest incidence rates is the Amazonian region. National policies are urgently needed to prevent snakebite accidents and to protect snakes in danger of extinction.
