Over 6,500 bitten by insects, reptiles in 2017

The year 2017 saw a 25 per cent decrease in the number of people who were bitten by venomous spiders and scorpions.

Some 8,733 patients visited government hospitals in 2016 to be treated for venomous bites.

While last year, the number fell to 6,529, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.

Similarly, the number of people who came in contact with a venomous snake or lizard also decreased from 342 in 2016 to 263 in 2017.