A Brazilian yellow scorpion, responsible for thousands of deaths, kills young boy after venomous sting while putting on his shoe

A seven-year-old boy in Brazil tragically died after suffering seven cardiac arrests following a venomous sting from a Brazilian yellow scorpion, one of the most dangerous species in the world. Luiz Miguel Furtado Barbosa passed away on October 25, two days after the attack, which occurred while he was preparing to go on a camping trip with his family in Anhembi, São Paulo state.

The incident unfolded on the morning of October 23, when Luiz Miguel, excited about the trip, was putting on his shoes when he was stung. His mother, Angelita Proença Furtado, described the moment, saying, “As soon as he put on his shoe, he screamed in pain. We couldn’t immediately identify what had stung him, but his leg began to redden, and he reported that the pain was spreading.”

The family searched frantically for the source of the sting and, five minutes later, discovered the yellow scorpion. They quickly rushed Luiz Miguel to Hospital das Clínicas de Botucatu, where scorpion antivenom was available. However, at the hospital, the boy suffered multiple cardiac arrests, and doctors informed his parents that recovery was unlikely.

After four cardiac arrests, Luiz Miguel’s parents lost hope, with his mother recalling a heartbreaking moment when she prayed over her son, saying, “When I entered the room, I placed my hand on his head and gave him with all my heart to his true owner. I said: Lord, he’s yours! Take him with you and take care of him.”

The following day, Luiz Miguel showed signs of improvement, briefly opening his eyes and trying to speak. However, his condition worsened again, and he suffered three more cardiac arrests before passing away on October 25.

The boy’s mother reflected on her son’s sudden and tragic death, remembering how he was full of energy and enthusiasm for life. “He seemed to want to experience everything in a single day,” she said, adding that now she believes he was in a hurry to live.

The death of Luiz Miguel prompted a three-day official mourning period declared by Anhembi city council, who also shared a condolence message on Instagram. Scorpion stings, especially from the Brazilian yellow scorpion, are a serious public health issue in the country. Since 2000, the number of reported incidents involving this species has increased tenfold, with 156,000 cases recorded in 2018, according to Brazil’s health ministry.

The Brazilian yellow scorpion, or Tityus serrulatus, is known for its highly toxic venom and its ability to reproduce asexually, which has contributed to the rapid rise in scorpion populations. The species is found in urban areas, including homes, schools, supermarkets, and even the Brazilian Senate. The growing population has been linked to climate change, with warmer and wetter conditions providing an ideal habitat for the scorpions.