Snake bites Still a Cause for Concern
By Joyce Ojanji
Snake bites have been grouped among the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by the World Health Organization (WHO), as they receive little attention despite their devastating impact on communities.
Experts have raised concerns that access to care and systemic inequities have made it worse for victims who get bitten by snakes to survive.
According to the WHO, the neglected tropical disease affects 1.8 to 2.7 million people each year, claiming 81,000 to 138,000 lives and causing 400,000 permanent disabilities.
In Africa, an estimated 435,000 to 580,000 snake bites annually need treatment. Experts say that one person dies every 4 minutes from snakebites.
Dr David Williams, WHO scientist on Tropical diseases, talks about prevention and treatment, through an interview with Vismita Gupta-Smith, WHO Communications.
Vismita: How big is snake bites’ problem and why is WHO concerned about it?
Dr. David: Snake bites are a public health issue because there are 2.7 million people who are beaten by snakes every year and 81,000 to 138,000 lose their lives.
Vismita: How can we avoid being bitten by snakes?
Dr. David: Prevention is better than cure. Avoiding situations where snake bites can happen does not cost you anything, and doing things that can lower your risk of being in contact with snakes. It’s important that if you are walking outside at night, use some light, use mosquito nets on the bed since they can keep snakes out. Also, talk to children and educate them about the dangers of snakes and if they see snakes they should inform an adult.
Vismita: What should people do when bitten by a snake?
Dr. David: Don’t panic. Get to a health care center as quickly as possible, within the first four to six hours. Traditional ways of dealing with snake bites which include tying a rope or wire around the bitten part, cutting the wound and applying electric shocks should be avoided.
Also, don’t give the victim anything to eat or drink. Remove any tight jewelry and accessories on the body because sometimes snake bites cause body swelling the objects can cut off blood circulation.
Additionally, never lay a person on their back especially in a vehicle when heading to a health care center, but put the victim in the recovery position on their side with the head tilted on the side. Prevent them from losing their ability to breathe.
Vismita: On snake bite treatment, are anti-venoms readily available around the world?
Dr. David: Unfortunately many countries have shortages when it comes to supply of safe, good quality and effective anti-venom drugs. WHO is helping countries identify the best products that can be used, providing technical guidance to manufacturers to help them improve, develop and design anti-venom products and also looking at new ways to supply anti-venom products to different parts of the world so that people can easily access treatment.
According to WHO, snake bite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease affecting poor people in rural communities, particularly people of working age and children.
Disabilities from snake bite envenoming are severely underreported. These include physical— amputations, infections, pain, disfigurement, impaired mobility, neurological— paralysis, nerve damage, seizures, cognitive impairment and psychological-post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety
It is time to call for action to have better estimates and understanding of these disabilities to uncover the true impact of snakebite disabilities and follow up with the victims to make sure their stories are heard