MENA Newswire News Desk: The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed in a press conference today that one person dies from a snake bite every 4 to 6 minutes globally, with a significant portion of the victims being under 20 years old, especially agricultural workers and children. This announcement was made to mark World Snakebite Awareness Day, which is observed annually on September 19th.
Dr. David Williams, Technical Officer for antivenoms at the WHO, highlighted that low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, experience the highest number of snakebite fatalities. He emphasized that antivenoms, the primary treatment for snakebites, remain in short supply in these regions, exacerbating the crisis.
The WHO estimates that between 1.8 and 2.7 million cases of snakebite poisoning occur each year, resulting in 81,410 to 137,880 deaths. For every fatality, an estimated three survivors suffer from long-term or permanent disabilities, which often lead to significant financial hardships for families, especially when the victim is the primary breadwinner.
Snakebites continue to pose a serious threat to public health in tropical and subtropical areas, where they disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. WHO officials reiterated that efforts to increase the availability of antivenoms must be prioritized, particularly in these high-risk regions.
Dr. Williams also discussed the economic impact of snakebite-related disabilities, noting that many survivors lose their ability to work, leading to ongoing income loss for themselves and their families. He urged global health authorities to ramp up production and distribution of antivenoms to save lives and reduce disabilities.
The press conference underscored that children and agricultural workers remain the most vulnerable to snakebites, especially in rural and remote areas where medical care and antivenoms are scarce. WHO has called for global collaboration to address the antivenom shortages and improve snakebite response systems worldwide. As World Snakebite Awareness Day approaches, WHO is calling for urgent international action to mitigate the snakebite crisis, save lives, and reduce long-term suffering.