Brazil faces rising health risks from scorpions and El Niño

Public health officials in Brazil are addressing rising environmental and climate-related health risks. In the coastal city of Navegantes, Santa Catarina, environmental surveillance agents have captured 436 yellow scorpions so far this year. Authorities are conducting inspections in residential areas, focusing on potential habitats such as grease traps, drains, and construction materials to mitigate risks.

Simultaneously, concerns are growing regarding the potential impact of a ‘super El Niño’ phenomenon. According to NOAA, there is a high probability of an intense El Niño occurring between October and November 2026. Such climate events are linked to increased rainfall and heat, which can accelerate the proliferation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—the vectors for dengue, zika, and chikungunya—and increase the risk of respiratory and renal issues. The Brazilian Ministry of Health has already issued alerts to municipalities to prepare for these seasonal health challenges.