Study estimates snakebite deaths may be far higher than official figures
A new study suggests that venomous snakebites may be causing substantially more deaths worldwide than official statistics indicate. Researchers estimate between 274,000 and 513,000 people die from snakebites each year.
The estimated burden is broader still. As many as 7 million people annually may suffer snake envenoming, while more than 800,000 survivors are left with long-term disabilities.
The findings point to a potential gap between the scale of the snakebite crisis and the data available to public-health authorities. More comprehensive surveillance and reporting may be needed to measure the true toll, guide medical preparedness and direct prevention and treatment resources.