Scorpion stings: Nearly 100 deaths annually in Algeria

About one hundred people die annually in Algeria of scorpion stings in particular because of delay in the administration of anti-scorpion serum, noted Monday in Algiers, Dr. Djamel Eddine Oulmane from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). "Out of the 50,000 scorpion stings recorded annually, about one hundred people die from poisoning due to scorpion venom mainly because of delay in the care of the victim or absence of anti-scorpion serum," Dr. Oulmane told APS. "Time is critical for proper care of the victim and to avoid complications which may be caused by the flow of venom in blood," he said. In this context, Dr. Oulmane stressed the importance for the scorpion sting victim to go to nearest hospital’s "emergency room", "because beyond three hours, the chances of survival are significantly reduced."