49 cases reported
Erbil sees surge in scorpion sting, snake bite cases in May
ERBIL — Erbil province has seen a sharp increase in scorpion stings and snake bites, with 49 cases reported in May, compared to only four in April, according to statistics released by Rojawa Emergency Hospital on Wednesday.
The hospital’s report attributes the rise to seasonal changes and warmer weather, which have led to increased activity among snakes, scorpions, and other wildlife. This surge in incidents is concerning, as scorpion stings can be deadly. Nearly two months ago, a two-year-old child from a village in Duhok died after being bitten by a scorpion and succumbing to the sting after four days in the hospital.
In Erbil’s Soran administration, ten residents were bitten by snakes and scorpions in April. According to Ashti Emergency Hospital, there have been no fatalities from these incidents. Rebwar Saifaddin, head of the emergency department at Ashti Hospital, reported that most cases involved scorpion stings, with only two snakebite incidents. “One of the snakebite victims was an elderly woman in critical condition, who was transferred to Erbil for necessary treatment,” Saifaddin stated.
While the statistics for scorpion and snake bites in Soran for May are not yet available, the area, known for its mountainous terrain, typically experiences higher incidences of such bites as summer approaches. “If the bites are not severely dangerous, they are treated locally in Soran. However, if they pose a significant threat, patients are sent to Erbil for specialized care,” Saifaddin added.
Additionally, in May, the Rojawa Hospital reported 58 cases of dog bites. In 2023, Erbil documented over 700 cases of dog bites, averaging about two incidents per day.
Scorpion and dog bites on the rise in southern Duhok
Erbil hospital records two dog bites per day throughout 2023
