Govt gives counsel on snake bites

Thandeka Matebesi

TSHOLOTSHO-The government has advised the general public to exercise caution  to prevent snake-bites and related deaths during this rainy season.

Prompted by the arlaming rate of snake bites and deaths due to snake bites, government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) urged members of the public to maintain clean and safe environments around their homes and to avoid bushy areas.

“Communities are advised to be on high alert to snake movements both in rural and urban areas especially during the rainy season. Cutting of long and over grown grasses around the household and along pathways is critical. People should avoid walking in the bushes during the night. It is important also to report snake bites by type of snake to the nearest health facility so that one can get proper treatment and advise. When one is moving along these pathways its advised to wear long boots or at least shoes and a protective measure,” said the Ministry.

MoHCC also emphasised the need to speedily report all snake bites to health officials  to avoid loss of life.

“All snake bites are notifiable events or conditions and it’s a requirement by law to have them reported where they occur, who was bitten and when they occurred.

When one is bitten by a snake they should avoid tying the areas or limb or inflicting cuts as is believed by tradition. This usually causes severe swelling and disturbs blood flow and may lead to amputation or severe infection to the bitten area” said MoHCC.

Statistics from the Ministry of health and Child Care (MoHCC) show that over three thousand and six hundred people were bitten by snakes in 2021 while twenty-seven succumbed to these snake bites.

“In 2021 a total of 3,619 snake bites cases were recorded throughout the country. Unfortunately, 27 people succumbed to these snake bites. The provinces that reported the highest number of snake bites cases are Mashonaland Central (643) followed by Mashonaland West (634). The highest deaths due to snake bites in 2021 were reported from Masvingo with a total of 8 (eight) cases followed by Mashonaland west with 7 (seven) cases”, said the Ministry.

MoHCC added: “The country does procure antivenom and these are prepositioned to at risk districts and to central hospitals, provincial hospitals and also district hospitals. As we speak the country has enough anti venom procured through Natpharm. We also have health care workers in the specific districts and provinces sensitized and oriented on the appropriate use of these. Currently we have 1610 vials in the country enough for use in all bites by venomous snakes. Remember not all snake bites  are venomous.”