The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a strategic plan aimed at reducing the impact of snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by 50% before 2030. If not addressed adequately, snakebite could soon escalate into a significant Global Public Health Emergency. This underscores the urgency in implementing robust strategies to tackle this issue.
Disturbing Snakebite Statistics
Facts released by the WHO indicate that almost three million individuals are bitten by venomous snakes each year. These bites result in an estimated 81,000-138,000 deaths annually. Furthermore, about 400,000 survivors are left with permanent disabilities and other serious after-effects. Snake venom can lead to paralysis which stops breathing, bleeding disorders resulting in fatal haemorrhage, irreversible kidney failure, and tissue damage that may necessitate limb loss.
The Neglect of Snakebite Envenoming
For a lengthy period, the importance of snakebite has been dangerously undermined. This underestimation went as far as leading to the categorisation of “snakebite envenoming” as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the WHO in 2017.
Understanding Snakebite Envenoming
Snakebite envenoming is a potentially fatal disease typically incurred through the injection of a venomous toxin mixture following a snakebite. Certain species of snakes can also cause the disease by spraying venom into the eyes as a defense mechanism. It poses a significant public health problem, particularly in rural areas of tropical and sub-tropical countries, including Africa, the Middle-East, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Unsurprisingly, the risk of snakebite is a daily concern in these regions, especially for communities reliant on agriculture or subsistence hunting and gathering for survival. Children are often more severely affected due to their smaller body mass.
The Issue of Underreporting
Many snakebite incidents go unreported, often when victims seek treatment from non-medical sources or lack access to healthcare. Snake antivenoms are effective treatments that can either prevent or reverse most harmful effects of snakebite envenoming. Included in the WHO Essential Medicines list, these drugs are crucial in combating the issue. Unfortunately, due to their inaccessibility and unaffordability, many families either cannot access the antivenoms or are forced into debt in order to pay for them.
Some Facts About Snakebites
| Fact | Number |
|---|---|
| People bitten by venomous snakes annually | Nearly 3 million |
| Annual deaths due to snakebite | 81,000-138,000 |
| Survivors suffering permanent disabilities | Approx. 400,000 |
WHO’s Roadmap to Combat Snakebite Envenoming
Part of WHO’s strategic plan to make antivenoms more accessible and affordable involves increasing the production of quality antivenoms. To create a sustainable antivenom market, there is a need for a 25% growth in the number of competent manufacturers by 2030. The WHO has also planned a pilot project to create a global antivenom stockpile. Their strategy includes integrating snakebite treatment and response into national health plans in affected countries, encompassing better training for health personnel and educating communities.
