Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115024

Mary E. O'Neil, MPH¹, Karin Mack, PhD², and Julie Gilchrist, MD². (1) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control/Division of Unintentional Injury and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, Mailstop K63, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770.488.1351, dbi8@cdc.gov, (2) NCIPC, DUIP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, Mailstop K63, Atlanta, GA 30341

PURPOSE: Bite and sting wounds may lead to wound infection, disfigurement, pain, allergic reactions, disease, and/or death. We present national estimates of non-canine bite and sting injuries treated in emergency departments (EDs) in 2001-2003.

METHODS: Information was collected using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System – All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) and included: diagnosis, body part affected, cause, age, and sex. When comment lines were available, these were coded for source of the bite or sting. Dog bites, human bites, injuries incurred at work or during active military duty were excluded. Estimates are weighted.

RESULTS: An estimated 323,340 children (<18 years) and 543,073 adults were treated annually in EDs for non-canine bite and sting injuries. Rates were highest among the younger age groups. The sources reported most frequently were an unspecified “insect” (39.1% 95%CI=34.5-43.9%), bees (20.2% 95%CI=16.1-25.2) and spiders (10.3% 95%CI=8.1-13.0%).

The injuries were most likely to occur in the extremities of the body (hand/arm: 34.4%; foot/leg: 25.9%). Few cases (1.5%; 95%CI=1.0-2.1%) required hospitalization. Of the known venomous snake bites, however, nearly half required hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS: Between 2001 and 2003, over 2.5 million individuals were treated in U.S. emergency departments for non-canine bite and sting injuries. This is likely an underestimate of all bite and sting injuries sustained because many may be managed appropriately outside of an ED. While prevention of these injuries would be the first line of defense, cost savings might be achieved through public education regarding when immediate first aid or professional emergency care is needed.

Learning Objectives: After attending this session, participants will be able to

• identify sources of non-canine bites and stings resulting in visits to U.S. emergency departments;
• describe the demographic features of the affected population;
• and, describe potential means for reducing the health care burden resulting from non-canine bite and sting injuries.

Keywords: Injury, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.