J Appl Biomed 9:157-161, 2011 | DOI: 10.2478/v10136-009-0035-3

Incidental poisoning of animals by carbamates in the Czech Republic

Ladislav Novotný^1,*, Jan Misík², Alena Honzlová⁴, Petr Ondráček⁵, Kamil Kuča^1,3, Oldřich Vávra⁴, Václav Rachač⁶, Petr Chloupek⁵

¹ Center of Advanced Studies, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

² Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

³ University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

⁴ State Veterinary Institute, Jihlava, Czech Republic

⁵ Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic

⁶ State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Illegal poisoning of wildlife and domestic animals is a worldwide issue. The carbamates primarily used as pesticides are often misused for such a purpose. In this study, 181 birds, mammals and baits were analysed over the period 2004-09 for possible intoxication by carbamates. Intoxication by carbamate carbofuran was diagnosed in 89 cases, and in another 19 cases (nine Wild Boars and 10 Bisons) intoxication with another carbamate - methomyl - was proven. Incidental ingestion of the marten bait was the main cause of intoxication. Although the distribution of carbofuran was prohibited in 2007, no decline in the number of intoxicated animals in the following two years was detected. New cases of intoxication by carbofuran are anticipated in the future until all remaining stock is expended.

Keywords: pesticide poisoning; organophosphorous inhibitors; forensic medicine; acetylcholinesterase

Received: September 16, 2010; Revised: October 20, 2010; Published: July 31, 2011  Show citation