urbanization

In Brazil they have realized a serious problem derived from a common evil in a large number of countries. It was intuited that Wild urbanizationadded to the climatic changes And the extreme heat of the planet were an equation that did not predict anything good. The nation has discovered, very much, something else. The atmosphere of many of its cities has led to authentic cockroaches colonies and, after them, those that devour them: scorpions. Silent invasion. Yes, Brazil is currently facing an alarming Scorpion proliferation In many of its cities, a direct consequence of uncontrolled urban growth and climate change, which has transformed urban environments into ideal habitats for these arachnids. How much? According to the study Posted in Frontiersbetween 2014 and 2023, more than 1.1 million bitesa 155 % increase In just a decade, and the projections estimate up to two million new cases between 2025 and 2033. The situation is especially critical in densely populated areas and with precarious services, Like favelaswhere the combination of crowded housing, accumulation of waste and sewerage systems without control has created the perfect scenario for the expansion of scorpions. These creatures find shelter in cracks, debris and pipes, have abundant food (The cockroaches), and enjoy constant temperatures and high humidity. Plus: Some species are capable of reproducing without mate and can survive more than a year Without feeding, which makes them a resistant threat and difficult to eradicate. A public health crisis. The Guardian told that the increase in temperatures, intense rains and prolonged droughts (increasingly frequent patterns in the context of climate change) have favored the expansion of scorpions, whose natural habitat is now complemented by those Modified urban environments For the human being. Previous investigations had already warned of these animals for adapt to citiesbut current data has confirmed that the phenomenon has climbed to become a health crisis. Only in 2024, it is estimated that almost 200,000 people were chopped And at least 133 died, although experts warn that real figures could be much greater, since many affected do not seek medical attention and are treated at home. Although only 0.1% From the bites it is lethal, the most vulnerable victims are children and the elderly, who run a greater risk of dying even with a single sting. For the rest of the population, the symptoms include intense pain, burning, swelling, redness, tingling and nausea, with a recovery that lasts several days. Misinformation and prevention. And here comes one of the legs to deal with the problem. The British media counted That one of the most complex challenges is the erroneous perception of scorpions. According to researcher Manuela Berto Pucca, they are not natural aggressors of the human being, but They act in self -defense. In fact, they perform key ecological functions when regulating populations of urban insects, yes, such as cockroaches. However, its presence in inhabited spaces has generated an understandable and growing fear, especially among the poorest populations, where the fear of a bite is part of everyday life. The key, According to expertsis in prevention: keep the spaces clean and without moisture, seal cracks, place grilles in drains and carefully check footwear, clothing and towels before wearing them. In addition, the Brazilian health system offers Free treatment and antidotes in certain emergency centers, but researchers insist on the need to act quickly at any sting, without waiting for symptoms to get worse. A call to action. Finally, it should be clarified that the phenomenon It is not exclusive from Brazil. Countries like Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Guyana or Venezuela too They have experienced a worrying growth of “Scorpionism”, The medical term that defines the reactions to these bites, making it a health crisis of regional scale. And in Europe? There are more than 35 native species of scorpion, but there are no comprehensive studies on their populations or comparable expansion has been observed. However, what is happening in South America serves as a global warning on the combined effects of that uncontrolled urbanization and climate change. The international scientific community has stressed that this is an avoidable emergency if more sustainable urban policies are applied, effective sanitation systems and public education and prevention campaigns. For Pucca and his colleagues, the current situation should serve as a catalyst for urgent actionsnot only to protect public health, but also to recover the balance between humans and the rest of the urban ecosystem to which these creatures also belong. Image | Aitivamon Natu, Webysther Nunes In Xataka | The United States national dish faces a worrying future if tariffs are maintained: hamburgers In Xataka | Brazil has the only rare earth mine capable of competing with China. The problem for the US is that China has remained