article · Toxicology Communications
A retrospective study in rural Tanzania evaluated the burden of venomous bites and stings between 2019 and 2023 across 29 primary healthcare facilities. Reviewing nearly 480,000 patient records revealed 212 cases of venomous injuries. Snakebites were the most common injury, followed by stings from bees, wasps, and scorpions. Most incidents affected men and individuals aged 25 to 44 years. Although venomous injuries represented a very small fraction of total patient visits, annual recorded cases doubled over the five-year evaluation period, pointing to a rising trend.
Animal-related injuries pose distinct health hazards in rural communities, yet accurate local data remain scarce. Identifying the most frequent sources of envenomation, such as snakebites and bee stings, helps health authorities recognise which rural populations are most exposed. It also assists in directing primary healthcare resources, protective strategies, and clinical supplies to where they are increasingly needed.
The abstract does not indicate a direct commercial application pathway, as it focuses on epidemiological burden and healthcare surveillance data.
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Background In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on member states to assess the burden of animal-related injuries. Tanzania is among the countries with no adequate data. This study sought to assess the burden of venomous bites and stings in a rural setting in Tanzania.Methods A retrospective study was conducted in February, 2024 to gather information from 29 selected primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in one rural setting. We used a checklist to retrieve data on venomous bites and stings from 2019 through 2023 from the patient records.Results Of the 476,928 patient records screened, 212 (0.04%) were identified as cases of venomous bites and stings. The majority of cases (n = 72, 34%) occurred among individuals aged 25–44 years, and 111 (52%) were male. Snakebites accounted for the largest proportion of cases (n = 63, 30%), followed by bee stings (n = 27, 13%), wasp stings (n = 15, 7%), and scorpion stings (n = 14, 7%). Number of recorded venomous bites and stings ranged from 30 in 2019 to 61 in 2023.Conclusion Despite their low overall incidence, the rising trend of venomous bites and stings highlights the need for strengthened surveillance and targeted prevention efforts.
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DOI: 10.1080/24734306.2025.2574795
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