The World Health Organization (WHO) is developing a strategy that aims to greatly improve awareness on the prevention of snakebites as well as ensure that effective treatment is available and accessible in areas where people are more exposed and the provision of rehabilitation facilities for victims of snakebite.
“The plan is one of our priorities we’re working on and will form part of efforts to improve the quality, safety, accessibility and affordability of snake antivenoms and other treatments that can assist in recovery after snakebite envenoming” said Dr Bernadette Abela-Ridder, Team Leader of the zoonotic Neglected Tropical Diseases unit, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The decision to include snakebite envenoming to the NTD portfolio in May 2017 follows a recommendation made by the WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) for Neglected Tropical Diseases. The STAG committee reviewed a dossier of evidence on snakebite submitted by the Government of Costa Rica and 17 other UN Member States.
Snakebites result in the deaths of 81 000 to 138 000 people each year and leaves as many as 400 000 more suffering long-term, severe disability.
WHO’s snakebite strategy will apply current intensified disease management principles that have proven effective to deal with diseases that require individual attention and care. In the case of snakebite, it will involve effective treatment and rehabilitation of snakebite victims.
“We’re looking at steps needed to strengthen health systems and to improve the quality, safety, accessibility and affordability of snake antivenoms and other treatments that can assist in recovery after snakebite envenoming” added Dr Abela- Ridder.
The Department for the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) will collaborate with other WHO departments and with Regional and Country Offices to implement the road map once the plan is launched.
WHO looks forward to working with the international community to identify functional resources, funding and means that are required to effectively control snakebite envenoming.