SEASONALITY OF SNAKEBITES:  STUDY FROM 2008 TO 2017 IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

This study addresses the phenomenon of snakebite seasonality in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro during the period 2008–2017. During the analyzed period, 498 snakebite cases were reported in Rio de Janeiro, with a predominance of the Bothrops genus. Most bites occurred in urban areas of the West Zone, regions still characterized by forest remnants. The victim profile shows male predominance (about twice as frequent compared to females), mainly in the 20–59 age group (mean ages: 36 years for women / 37 years for men). A seasonal pattern was observed, with an increase in cases during the warm and humid months (November to April) and a decrease during the colder months (May to October), suggesting the influence of climatic factors—primarily temperature and humidity—but also the role of land use and occupation. The annual seasonality of snakebites is evident, with alternating periods of higher and lower incidence throughout the year. It was also observed that the increase in cases followed the rise in temperature. Unlike other regions of Brazil, such as the North and Northeast, Rio de Janeiro showed a trend of decreasing cases over time. The objective of this study is to present data on the seasonality of snakebites in Rio de Janeiro during the period 2008 to 2017.