Portugal and Brazil issue health guidance on ticks and venomous animal accidents

Health authorities in Portugal and Brazil have issued advice to reduce the risk of injuries from ticks and venomous animals during outdoor activities. In Portugal, the National Institute of Health (INSA) and the Vector Surveillance Network (REVIVE) recommend wearing long sleeves, using repellents, checking clothing and skin after exposure, and promptly removing any attached ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers. They also advise monitoring bite sites for signs of Lyme disease or other infections and seeking medical care if symptoms such as a expanding rash, fever, or severe headache develop.

In Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state, researchers from the University of Caxias do Sul and the Museum of Natural Sciences have recorded 175 incidents this year involving spiders, snakes, scorpions and other venomous creatures. The most common offenders are brown spiders (Loxosceles spp.) and Brazilian wandering spiders (Phoneutria spp.). Authorities stress the importance of avoiding dense vegetation, using protective clothing, and seeking immediate medical attention for bites that cause severe pain, swelling, or systemic symptoms.