WHO raises alarm over climate change increase and snake bites in Africa
By Hauwa Ali
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm over a significant rise in snake bites in Sub-Saharan Africa, attributing the increase to climate change-induced flooding.
Snakebites have long been a hidden health crisis in Africa, causing not only deaths but also severe disabilities for tens of thousands of people annually.
WHO says the floods drive snakes closer to human populations, exacerbating a dire public health crisis.
The WHO classifies snakebite evenoming as a neglected tropical disease, with many victims unable to afford or access adequate medical care.
The venom from snakes like cobras, vipers, and mambas can cause paralysis, haemorrhaging, tissue damage, and organ failure if left untreated, the World body noted.
According to the WHO statistics, snake bites in the region result in approximately 15,000 deaths each year and an estimated 314,000 cases annually.
David Williams, Head of the WHO’s Snakebite Envenoming Program, recently appeared on Eye on Africa to discuss the growing threat. Williams highlighted that extreme weather events linked to climate change, such as flooding, have forced venomous snakes into populated areas, increasing the risk of encounters.
In an interview on Eye on Africa, Williams sais: “Climate change is making a bad situation worse, but with adequate resources, we can reduce the number of deaths and disabilities from snakebites.
“Flooding disrupts snake habitats, pushing them into contact with people, particularly in rural areas where health systems are strained,” Williams said.
Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for a large share of the world’s snakebite cases, faces a severe shortage of antivenoms-an essential treatment for venomous bites.
Despite the high demand, antivenom supplies are critically low, and access to life-saving treatments remains limited in many regions. This shortage exacerbates the already high mortality and morbidity rates associated with snake bites. Many victims are left with permanent disabilities due to the lack of timely medical intervention.
In response to the challenge, the WHO is stepping up efforts to increase the availability of antivenoms in the most affected regions.
The organisation has launched initiatives to distribute more treatments and train healthcare workers in managing snakebite cases.
Williams emphasised the importance of scaling up the production of antivenoms and improving distribution channels, particularly in remote areas where snakebites are most common and health services are least accessible.
In light of the growing threat, Williams stressed the need for global attention and investment in addressing the issue.