What’s a Bigger Threat: Wolves, Bears, Sharks…
or the Family Dog?
D
ogs, farm animals and insects — not wild animals — are the cause of death for most U.S. residents killed by animals, according to a new study. The study reported that 1,610 people in the United States were killed by animals between 2008 and 2015. “Importantly, most deaths are not actually due to wild animals like mountain lions, wolves, bears, sharks, etc.,” said the study’s lead researcher, Jared Forrester, a physician. Rather, they’re “a result of deadly encounters with farm animals, anaphylaxis from bees, wasps or hornet stings and dog attacks,” said Forrester, who’s with Stanford University’s Department of Surgery. “So, while it is important that people recreating in the wilderness know what to do when they encounter a potentially dangerous animal, the actual risk of death is quite low,” Forrester said. Forrester made his remarks in a news release from the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, which published the study in its March issue.
The death rate overall from animal encounters “has remained relatively stable” from the last time this analysis was performed, covering 1999-2007, he said. Nonvenomous animals accounted for 57 percent of the deaths in the latest analysis. Most of those cases involved what the researchers classified as “other mammals” including cats, horses, cows, other hoof stock, pigs and raccoons. Previous research has shown that most deaths from “other mammals” occur on farms, and that horses and cattle account for 90 percent of such farm accidents. “Preventing potentially fatal farm animal encounters should be a better-promoted and -supported public health initiative,” Forrester said. “Farming remains an industry with a deficit of work-related injury reporting, and opportunities exist to improve safety measures and injury reporting on farms in the U.S.” Dogs were the second most common cause of nonvenomous animal-related death, the study found. Children younger than 4 years had the highest dog-related death rate, at
4.6 deaths per 10 million people. That rate was almost two times higher than the next most vulnerable group — people older than 65 — and four times higher than other age groups. “The burden of fatality upon young children after dog encounters remains troubling,” Forrester said. “These are preventable deaths.” Venomous animals accounted for about 86 deaths a year during the study period. Most of those were caused by wasps, bees and hornets.
To reduce these deaths, Forrester said, people who know they’re allergic to insect stings should carry a portable epinephrine delivery device with them at all times. “With an estimated 220,000 annual visits to the emergency department and nearly 60 deaths per year due to stings from hornets, wasps and bees, effective and affordable treatment [for severe allergic reactions to stings] is critical,” he said.
Care for every woman … for every phase of life Our specialties
Pelvic health Vulvar disorders • General OBGYN for pediatric, adolescent, Bleeding disorders adult and geriatric, and Bladder leakage and high-risk pregnancies other conditions • Menopause management Obstetrics • Minimally invasive and Gynecology reconstructive surgery • Hormone therapy Conventus – Buffalo 1001 Main Street | 4th Floor Easy Parking
• • • •
We’re with you | Contact us today 716.636.8284 | ubmdobgyn.com
6 Free Issues In Good Health
Western New York’s Healthcare Newspaper Receive six free issues of In Good Health at home or at your organization.
Williamsville 755 Wehrle Drive
Name_____________________________________________________ Business/Organization________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________ City / Town_________________________State_________Zip_________ Where did you pick up this paper: What do you like about In Good Health?
Clip and Mail to: In Good Health P.O. Box 550, Amherst, NY 14226
No obligation. If you choose to subscribe after the trial period, the cost is $15 a year.
We may use your comments for marketing purposes Page 2
•
IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2018