Africa: Snakebites Are a Far Bigger Problem Than We Knew - New Study Maps the Hidden Dangers

Africa: Snakebites Are a Far Bigger Problem Than We Knew - New Study Maps the Hidden Dangers

Analysis - Not every snakebite injects venom. When venom enters the body, however, it can cause snake envenoming. This is a potentially fatal condition and it mostly affects poor rural communities across tropical and subtropical regions who don't have easy access to medical care.

New global data reveals snakebites are a far bigger problem than originally thought

The World Health Organization has set an ambitious target to halve snakebite mortality and disability by 2030

Snakebites are a far bigger problem than we knew: new study maps the hidden dangers

Not every snakebite injects venom. When venom enters the body, however, it can cause snake envenoming. This is a potentially fatal condition and it mostly affects poor rural communities across tropical and subtropical regions who don’t have easy access to medical care. As researchers with decades of combined experience in snakebite and tropical disease epidemiology, we came to realise that snake envenoming faces a data crisis. Over half of the c…

New Global Study Reveals Snake Envenoming Far More Widespread Than Official Figures

A geostatistical analysis of 79 countries estimates up to 7 million snake envenomings and over half a million deaths each year, with sub‑Saharan Africa bearing 45% of the burden.