Estudo epidemiológico dos casos de acidentes por abelha no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Nordeste do Brasil.

Abstract

In 1956, African bees were brought to Brazil in an attempt to promote a genetic improvement of existing species in the country and increase honey production. A year later 26 swarms escaped and crossing with native bees. In this way, the Africanized bee arised. Since the emergence of the Africanized bees the number of accidents has increased significantly throughout the country. The objective of this study was to describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of bees' accidents in Rio Grande do Norte from 2007 to 2014. Data were obtained from the Health Secretariat State of Rio Grande do Norte, through SINAN (NATIONAL SYSTEM FOR NOTIFIABLE DISEASES) and analyzed in SPSS Statistcs version 22.0 and in Bioestat 5.3. Accidents with bees in Rio Grande do Norte accounted for about 7% of the accidents with venomous animals. From 2007 to 2014 there was a significant increase in the number of cases, however, when the months of each year were observed there was no significant variation (p = 0.975). Male subjects hada predominance of cases in relation to the female sex, representing 64% of the notifications. The age group most affected was 20 to 39 years. Work-related accidents accounted for only 4% of cases. The anatomic site most affected was the head, representing 32% of the records. About 47% of the victims were treated within 3 hours. Most of the accidents were classified as mild (87%) and 88% evolved to cure. Most of the clinical manifestations presented were local, where pain (86.6%) and edema (82.2%) were the most reported local reactions. The variables age (p = 0.173) and time of care (p = 0,335) showed no association with the presence of systemic clinical manifestations. Regarding severity, the variables age (p = 0.000), time of care (p = 0.004), anatomical site reached (p = 0.026), zone of occurrence (p = 0.000) and gender (p = 0.022), showed a significant association. This data will serve to update the available epidemiological information.Is relevant as a form as a way of propagating information related to bees, serving as a survey of the epidemiological situation of the cases in the Northeast and especially in Rio Grande do Norte. Contributing to the elaboration of public health policies in this region, including prevention of accidents and improvement in care and quality of treatment of victims.