Venomous snakes and envenomation in Palestine

Abstract

Venomous snakes found in Palestine, include Palestine saw scaled viper (Echis coloratus), Palestine viper (Vipera paleastinae), Desert Black Cobra (Walterinnesia aegytia) and Palestine Mole Viper (Atractaspis engaddensis) snakes. It has been estimated that 100–150 people per year receive venomous bites in Palestine, and about 2-3 of those people die. Specific, antivenins are available against only anti-Vipera palaestinae species, while against others namely, Echis coloratus, Walterinnesia aegyptia, and Atractaspis engaddensis. Asiatic or European preparations are used. A polyspecific antivenin against the above mentioned three species is crucially needed