Animal-bites

Key facts 

• Animal-bites are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. 
• Worldwide, up to five million people are bitten by snakes every year; the majority in Africa and South-East Asia. 
• Prompt medical treatment with appropriate antivenom is required for poisonous snake-bites. 
• Dog-bites account for tens of millions of injuries annually; the highest risk is among children. 
• Rabies is a significant health concern following dog-bites, cat-bites and monkey-bites. 

Animal-bites pose a major public health problem in children and adults worldwide. The health impacts of animal-bites are dependent on the type and health of the animal species, the size and health of the bitten person, and accessibility to appropriate health care. Numerous animal species have the potential to bite humans; however the most important are those arising from snakes, dogs, cats and monkeys.

Snake-bites

Worldwide, up to five million people are bitten by snakes every year. Of these, poisonous (envenoming) snakes cause considerable morbidity and mortality. There are an estimated 2.4 million envenomations (poisonings from snake-bites) and 94 000–125 000 deaths annually, with an additional 400 000 amputations and other severe health consequences, such as infection, tetanus, scarring, contractures, and psychological sequelae. Poor access to health care and scarcity of antivenom increases the severity of the injuries and their outcomes.

Dog-bites

There are no global estimates of dog-bite incidence, however studies suggest that dog-bites account for tens of millions of injuries annually. In the United States of America for example, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Of these, nearly 885 000 seek medical care; 30 000 have reconstructive procedures; 3–18% develop infections and between 10 and 20 fatalities occur. Other high-income countries such as Australia, Canada and France have comparable incidence and fatality rates. Low- and middle-income country data are more fragmented, however some studies reveal that dogs account for 76–94% of animal-bite injuries. Dog-bite fatality rates are higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries as rabies is a problem in many of these countries, and there may be a lack of post-exposure treatment and appropriate access to health care. An estimated 55 000 people die annually from rabies, and bites from rabid dogs account for the vast majority of these deaths. 

Cat-bites 

Worldwide, cat-bites account for 2–50% of injuries related to animal-bites. They are commonly second to dog-bites in terms of incidence. In Italy for example, the incidence of cat-related injuries is 18 per 100 000 population, while in the United States of America, there are an estimated 400 000 cat-bites and 66 000 visits to hospital emergency departments every year.

Monkey-bites 

Monkey-bites account for 2–21% of animal-bite injuries. In India for example, two studies found monkeys to be second to dogs as the most common source of animal-bite injuries.

Source: World Health Organization Fact sheet No. 373, 18 February 2013