WHO: One person dies from a snake bite every 4 to 6 minutes worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that a person dies from a snakebite every 4 to 6 minutes globally, with over a third of the victims being under 20, primarily agricultural workers and children.

During a press conference for World Snakebite Awareness Day in September, David Williams, WHO’s Technical Officer for Antivenoms, highlighted the severe public health impact in low- and middle-income countries, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Williams emphasized the shortage of antivenoms, the most effective treatment for snakebites, in many hard-hit areas. Snakebite survivors often face long-term disabilities, resulting in significant financial strain, especially if the family’s breadwinner is affected.

WHO estimates that between 1.8 and 2.7 million snakebite incidents occur annually, leading to 81,410 to 137,880 deaths, with many more left permanently disabled.