Scorpions can pose a deadly threat to children – we’re identifying the global hotspots

Scorpion stings are a significant concern mainly for children in subtropical regions, particularly in Latin America, North Africa, the Levant, Iran, and western India.
Despite the severity of the problem, scorpionism is under-researched, under-funded, and under-reported, compared to snakebites.
Climate change, urbanization, global trade, and human encroachment into natural habitats are contributing factors to increasing scorpion sting incidents.
Lethal scorpion stings result in about 3,000 deaths annually, most of them children from poor rural communities.
While old antivenom serum has significantly reduced death rates in some parts of the world, its usage is limited by availability, matching to the scorpion species, costs and allergic reactions.
In Morocco, a significant drop in scorpion sting-related deaths was achieved by moving away from antivenom use towards comprehensive intensive care and public education campaigns.
A Moroccan-Irish research team used machine learning to understand scopin habitat and develop predictive maps that guide the medical preparedness and response in scorpion sting hotspots.
The integration of ecology, climate science, and clinical science can help prevent scorpionism-related deaths, with potential adaptations for use in other affected countries.