Work

Venomous snakebite risk and its implications in Zacatecas State, Mexico 2007-2017

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Zacatecas is a Mexican state from where there are few studies about biodiversity, venomous ophidians and people's experience of snakebites. In the state, there are 12 species of venomous snakes distributed in three genera: Crotalus, Micruroides and Micrurus, which could represent some risk for the locals. The objective of this study was to make use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and programming to determine the relationship between population variables and the number of snakebites registered by the Zacatecas Health Services (SSZ) from 2007 to 2017 at the municipal level. Climatic, social and biological variables were used to gain a better understanding of the situation. It was found that men working in livestock breeding, agriculture, subsistence hunting or mining are more vulnerable, especially if older than 65. The municipalities of Concepción del Oro, Villa de Cos, El Plateado de Joaquín Amaro, Loreto and Ojocaliente exhibit the highest risk, while special monitoring must be conducted in Guadalupe, Fresnillo and Zacatecas due to their high population density, as well as in Valparaíso on account of its rich venomous ophidian fauna. Additionally, it is suggested to carry out preventive actions and detailed data gathering about snakebites to guarantee information quality. This study constitutes the first formal, detailed work about the epidemiological panorama of envenoming caused by the bite of a snake (ophidiotoxicosis) in Zacatecas from which further investigation and modelling may derive.

Source: Geospatial health

DOI: 10.4081/gh.2025.1404

Authors: Jesús Lenin Lara-Galván, Manuel Montesino-San Martín, Xabier Herrero Otero, Juan Felipe Martínez-Montoya, José Jesús Sigala-Rodríguez, Ana Márcia Barbosa

Institutions: Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, University of the Basque Country, Universidade do Porto

Language: English

Topic: Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $808