title: Piranha attacks in dammed streams used for human recreation in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
abstract: In recent years, attacks by piranhas have become a common problem in dammed portions of rivers and streams in the State of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. In two outbreaks recorded in two neighboring counties in the Northwest region of the state, 74 bathers were bitten. Only one bite per person was recorded during a short period of the year. The bites were related to parental care and/or defense of spawning territory, which confirms previous studies and demystify the attacks by these legendary fish, as they are perceived by most people. Placement of fine mesh nets and removal of aquatic vegetation stopped the attacks.
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. haddadjr@fmb.unesp.br
authors.forename: Vidal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sazima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000145:classification; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011998:Recreation