On the basis of values reported in the literature (6,29,34,83), the annual incidence of snake-bites in Central and South America (population, ca. 400 million) should be atl east 300000 ;a total of 150000 en venomations are reported every year, 65%of which are treated in hospital. The annual number of deaths from snake-bites could exceed 5000 and their distribution is probably uneven.