Health
Surge of Snake and Scorpion Attacks Hits Egyptian Villages as Temperatures Rise
July 13, 2026 at 03:28 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 189 hours
Snake and scorpion attacks have increased in Egypt's New Valley and Sharqia governorates, with dozens of bites and several deaths reported amid a summer heatwave.
- A governorate official in New Valley said nearly 74 people have been bitten by snakes and scorpions since June, including five in two days this week.
- Three people, including two children, died from snakebites in Sharqia governorate within a two-week period in the village of Al-Qaraqra.
- Assistant Health Minister Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated that snake antivenom is available only in hospitals, not primary health units, due to the need for trained medical supervision.
- Officials and farmer union head Hussein Abdel Rahman Abu Saddam attributed the rise to high summer temperatures driving reptiles from dry habitats and a decline in natural predators.