[Impact of the environment on envenomation incidence and severity]

Envenomations constitute a serious public health problem in many developing countries. It is related to the hazards of the encounters of venomous animals and human explained by both the venomous animal behaviour and human activities. Severity depends on the toxicity or inoculated amount of the venom and, to a lesser extent, on the management of the envenomation. Man-induced alteration of the environment results in modifications of venomous animals populations both in proportion of species and abundance of specimens. Some species have a higher adaptation capacity and may grow up dramatically. In rural regions, plantations are at great risk of exposure to snakes whereas in suburban areas, scorpions may occur in high density. In some plantations or settlements, incidence may increase by two to ten folds. Local ecological and epidemiological studies allow taking measures to control the venomous animals, prevent the snakebites or scorpion stings and provide antivenoms and better management of the envenomations.