Snake Bites: What You Need to Know

Snakebite envenoming affects millions of people worldwide and is a significant source of mortality, primarily in rural and agricultural communities of tropical and subtropical countries.

According to the WHO, there are approximately 5.4 million snakebites and 1.8–2.7 million cases of envenomation globally each year, including deaths and around three times as many individuals suffering from permanent disfigurement and/or disabilities, including limb amputations. Regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia experience the highest incidence of snakebite annually.

Several factors contribute to the risk of snakebite, including occupations that result I frequent exposure to snakes, such as agricultural work, farming, and herding, living in rural areas with proximity to snake habitats, and insufficient knowledge about snakebite prevention. The lack of identification of venomous snakes and appropriate first aid measures, initial management by traditional healers, delay in reaching hospitals and limited access to healthcare, including antivenoms, in rural areas further exacerbate the consequences of snakebite envenoming. The management plan is based on clinical syndromes.

First Aid and General Measures applicable to any case: urgent transport to a medical facility, reassure victim, removal of constricting clothing and jewelry from bite area and/or limb . Bring the snake to the hospital if possible (species diagnosis aids treatment), Start CPR if a neurotoxic paralysis occurs with cardiac & respiratory arrest. Administering oxygen O2 and ensuring a patent airway in ALL Cases.Administering oral Analgesia (Paracetamol).If possible Starting  IV Fluids: Ringers. Hypertonic saline may be necessary in hypovolemic patients (children). Elevating of the affected limb (avoid over-elevation and stretching to prevent nerve injury and reduced blood flow). The use of antivenom treatment is key in the initial phase of the snake bite.