TEHRAN, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that 32,829 cases of scorpion stings were reported in the country in the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20.
Among the injured, 15 individuals have died, the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted the ministry as saying.
Over the same period, 6,597 snakebites were registered in the country, with three people killed, the report said.
It added that 50 scorpion species have been identified in Iran, of which seven are considered risky to human beings.
An average of more than 60,000 scorpion stings are reported annually in Iran, ranking third after Mexico and Colombia in the world, it noted.
According to the report, old buildings are favorable habitats for scorpions in Iran. It further warned that the arachnids may hide inside the cracks and crevices on walls and ceilings, as well as among clothes and inside shoes.
Scorpions are also easily found in farmlands, it added. ■
