Scientists reveal a hidden snakebite crisis killing up to 513,000 people a year

Scientists reveal a hidden snakebite crisis killing up to 513,000 people a year

A startling new study suggests that venomous snakebites are killing far more people worldwide than official statistics indicate, with an estimated 274,000 to 513,000 deaths every year. Researchers found that as many as 7 million people could suffer snake envenoming annually, while more than 800,000 survivors are left with long-term disabilities.

Scientists Reveal Hidden Snakebite Crisis Killing Up to 513,000 People Worldwide Each Year

Snakebite envenoming is a potentially fatal but largely undercounted public health crisis, especially in poor, rural communities across tropical and subtropical regions. Researchers who analyzed data from 79 countries estimate that at least 2.1 million people experience snake poisoning each year, with the true figure potentially reaching 7 million. Annual deaths may range from 274,000 [...]