The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced on April 30 that quick action following a bite or sting from a venomous animal is crucial to prevent severe complications and support a rapid recovery. The warning comes as many people travel to beaches, rural areas, and natural destinations during the extended Labor Day holiday.
Cristopher Schwartz Vásquez, veterinarian and head of the Venomous Animals Area at the National Institute of Health, said that receiving specialized treatment within the first few hours after an incident is essential. “Medical attention must be immediate. The first one to three hours are decisive in avoiding serious consequences or even death,” Schwartz Vásquez said.
The ministry identified snakes such as jergones found in jungle regions, spiders like Loxosceles laeta common in coastal and urban zones, Latrodectus mactans present in rural and arid areas, scorpions in jungle and northern coastal areas, and marine rays along northern beaches and the central coast as some of the highest-risk animals in Peru.
People are advised to seek medical help immediately if they experience intense pain, swelling, redness, blisters, nausea, vomiting, fever, sweating or difficulty breathing after a bite or sting. In more severe cases there may be tissue necrosis or bleeding.
For first aid following an emergency involving a venomous animal bite or sting, Minsa recommends keeping the affected person at rest with the injured area immobilized and washed with soap and water before transporting them quickly to a health center. If possible, taking a photograph of the animal responsible can help healthcare personnel identify it for specific treatment. The ministry also advises against using tourniquets; cutting wounds; sucking out venom; applying ice directly; using alcohol; or home remedies since these practices can worsen outcomes.
To reduce risks during camping trips or hikes Minsa suggests wearing long clothing and closed shoes; checking tents clothes and shoes before use; not putting hands into holes or logs; using flashlights at night; keeping spaces clean; and shuffling feet when walking on beaches to avoid contact with marine rays.
