[Epidemiology of envenomation in French Guiana]

Incidence of snake bites, scorpion and venomous fish stings are established in French Guiana (a South American French territory). About 75 snake bites per 100,000 population, 90 scorpion stings and 125 fish stings are recorded in a year by official sanitary services. Authors give geographical and ecological variations, and risks, of venomous animal accidents. Severity of snake bites and medical cost are emphasized. Necrosis and/or bleedings follow 5% of cases and hospital lethality reaches 2.2%.