Mapping Human Exposure to Venomous Animal Hazards in Dakhla District, New Valley Governorate, Egypt

Reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with venomous animals depends on identifying the area’s most at risk in Egypt, particularly in New Valley Governorate, and more specifically Dakhla District, and ensuring timely access to medical care and antivenom treatment centers. This study draws on incident and injury records involving venomous animals, obtained from the New Valley Ambulance Authority for the year 2024. A set of spatial analytical tools was applied: Spatial Statistics and Pattern Analysis to determine the distribution of cases, Kernel Density Estimation to identify hotspots of envenomation, and Euclidean Distance Analysis to evaluate levels of accessibility to emergency and antivenom services. The study identified spatial, temporal, and demographic variations in injuries caused by venomous animals. The overall incidence rate was found to be 19 per 10,000 population. Nearly half of the reported cases (51.5%) occurred during the summer months, while around 64% took place at night. Males accounted for the vast majority of cases (84%), with almost half of the injuries (48.4%) occurring among individuals under the age of 20. Spatial analysis of injury locations revealed distinct clusters of incidences, in addition to assessing levels of accessibility to emergency services and facilities providing antivenom.