2023-10-03 02:30:50
A team of teachers and students from the National University of La Pampa (UNLPam) developed a cell phone application that identifies spiders, snakes and scorpions that release their venom if they feel attacked. Free to download for the Android system (the most used in Argentina), the program offers information about what to do if a sting or bite occurs.
In addition, specialists launched a guide to recognize These species present in rural and urban areas, and promote preventive actions in the community to avoid accidents.
The app is called “Ponzoñosos de La Pampa” and consists of a catalog of photographs of these animals that are used to compare them with the specimen found. The images are not only taken by members of the team, but a large part corresponds to the Pampas community. In addition to the recommendations, it provides the telephone numbers of places where the serums are distributed in La Pampa and the precautions that should be taken.
“This project responds to a social demand. People approach the University with photos of the animals to ask if they are dangerous or not. In fact, many of the images that are in the app are sent by the community that is committed and actively participates,” he says. María de los Ángeles Brunidirector of the project in which this tool is part of.
At the same time, The app informs you of the degree of risk and the consequences of being bitten by any of these animals., such as the “black widow”, the Wolf Spider, the Mount Spider or the Chicken Spider. The Yarará ñata, the Yarará de la Cruz, the Yarará Chica or Coral also appear in the registry.
Currently, the group performs training health personnel and developing virtual and interactive teaching materials. The next objective is to identify natural alternatives to make repellents.
Toxicity in the body
Claudio Ruiz, student of Veterinary Medicine at UNLPam and member of the project, explains that poisonous animals “have a specialized gland that contains the poison, a toxic substance that It is only released in case the animal wants to defend itself and attack”. In the event of an accidentthe severity of the consequences depends on the type of animal, the amount of poison inoculatedthe site of the bite, the health status of the injured person and the time of care and application of the corresponding antidote.
For example, if the bite is from a Loxosceles spider, also known as the corner or violin spider, two types of symptoms can occur: It can cause necrosis of the skin in the affected area. or a second episode of poisoning may occur. Known as “cutaneous vice-server”, The substance enters the bloodstream, damages more than one organ, causes the destruction of red blood cells, kidney damage and can cause death.
In the case of the known spider like a black widow, its bite affects the nervous systemgenerates tremors or palpitations and stabbing pain. “The consequences are very varied depending on the animal that is injured, but “All the effects are reversible if the person goes quickly to the medical center and they apply the appropriate antidote,” says Ruiz.
A public health problem
According to the Pan American Health Organization, poisonings from Bites and stings of poisonous animals constitute a serious public health problem in Latin America. The consequences and disabilities caused mainly by snakes not only represent a health problem, but also a social and economic problem due to the loss of working conditions for affected patients.
In Latin America and the Caribbean It is estimated that more than 57 thousand people a year are bitten by snakes, with a fatality rate of 0.6 percent. Besides, Nearly 2 thousand victims suffer from disabilities. However, the real impact may be even greater because cases are not always reported and, therefore, do not appear in the statistics.
In the case of Argentina, it is mandatory to report the bite or sting of snakes, spiders or scorpions. Although the notification of cases has increased in recent years, there are still cases that are not notified to the Health system because they do not require the administration of antivenoms. According to the latest report carried out by the Buenos Aires government, the provinces with the most registered cases were Santiago del Estero, Córdoba and Misiones.
Regarding the situation in La Pampa, Although there are reports of accidents, there are usually many more cases where they find out through other means.. “It is important to inform not only to prevent accidents with these animals, but because we believe that By knowing them we could also conserve them since they play an important role in nature: they are biological controllers,” Bruni emphasizes.
Thus, for example, snakes feed on rodents, toads or frogs, spiders on mosquitoes and moths, and scorpions on cockroaches. “A rodent or mosquito can transmit diseases and cause more deaths than a snake or spider. So, It is necessary that these animals be there so that there are no pests and there is a balance between the species”Ruiz highlights.
Keep calm, there is time
From the team they propose that in the Pampas region there is little information, dissemination and prevention in relation to accidents with poisonous animals. “There are many myths installed. When we go to give talks, The first thing they tell us they would do in the event of an accident is exactly what not to do. So, we start by identifying what the negative consequences of carrying out that action are,” details Bruni.
Ruiz adds: “Most people say that, when faced with a sting or bite, they make tourniquets, cut the wound because it begins to swell, and panic.“They consume some type of alcoholic beverage to relieve the pain or suck out the poison.” Given the lack of information, the community resorts to methods that are not appropriate to deal with these types of accidents.
In this sense, It is essential to be accompanied and remain calm because the poison runs faster throughout the body if the person is nervous. In addition, rings, bracelets and necklaces that may interfere with blood circulation should be removed; immobilize the injured part; avoid pain relievers and alcoholic beverages; Drink water to hydrate and wet the wound.
“You have to stay calm because there is time to get to a medical center. For example, if I am bitten by a yarará, I have up to 48 hours to go to a hospital to be treated,” explains Ruiz, a member of the Poisonous Animal Identification Area at the National University of La Pampa.
Furthermore, they consider that, to report and prevent accidents with this type of animals, it is necessary to strengthen and link with social and government actors, generate a regional action plan that responds to the demands of the population and investigate species that are dangerous to human health.
To avoid incidents with this type of animals, some of the instructions reported by the Ministry of Health of the Nation are to keep patios and gardens clean, do not put your hands in places where you cannot see what is inside or behind, wear boots in areas where there may be poisonous snakes, check your footwear before putting it on and do not handle animals without prior knowledge.