Injuries caused by fish in a community of Pantanal fishermen: detection, treatment, and prevention of envenomations and trauma

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Author: Vidal Haddad Junior
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Pantanal; Occupational accidents; Fishermen; Traumatogenic fish; Venomous fish; Catfish; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0340-2017; https://doaj.org/article/60c8325f50e6405986260bf2ee447b7a

Abstract INTRODUCTION Injuries caused by fish are common in the Pantanal, a flooded area in Midwestern Brazil. METHODS A survey was conducted to identify venomous and trauma-inducing fish and the incidence of such injuries in a local fishing community. RESULTS The injuries were caused by catfish, freshwater stingrays, and piranhas. All fishermen had suffered injuries, and nearly 30% had recent injuries. CONCLUSIONS A leaflet and discussions decreased the injuries (only two were recorded in the next year). The campaign educated fishermen about prevention of and first aid for injuries. Similar campaigns will be performed in other communities of the Pantanal.