Self-reported incidence of snake, spider, and scorpion encounters among deployed U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan

Much has been written about injury, diarrhea, and respiratory cases but less is known about other threats, specifically snake, scorpion, and spider encounters. To examine the risk from local fauna, a cross-sectional study using an anonymous survey was conducted among U.S. troops in Southwest Asia between January 2005 and May 2006. Among 3,265 troops, 9 cases (0.3%) of snakebites and 85 cases (2.6%) of spider stings and scorpion bites were reported, equating to an incidence of 46.1 per 10,000 person-months for scorpion/spider encounters and 4.9 per 10,000 person-months for snakebites. There was a significant association with service branch and toileting facilities for snakebites. Season, deployment location, rank, and toileting facilities were associated with differential risk of scorpion/spider encounters. Troops are at risk for local fauna encounters while deployed in the current operational environment. The potential morbidity, mortality, and operational impact of these health hazards need to be considered.