Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Snakebite Deaths In Africa

There is an urgent need to ensure the availability of safe, effective and affordable antivenoms, particularly in Africa tropical regions.

A single vial of snakebite antivenom can cost thousands of dollars.

Dangerous venomous snakebites are common in Africa life-saving treatment is not.


A single vial of snakebite antivenom can cost thousands of dollars.

Snakebite Deaths In Africa

Africa has an abundance of dangerous venomous snakes and snakes could be anywhere, which means they are everywhere. Despite the high rates of death and disability from snakebites in Africa, it remains a significant burden to Africa’s poor women and children, agricultural workers, hunters, and farmers.

Though the exact number of snakebites is unknown, in Africa, there are well over a half a million snakebites yearly that need treatment. Up to 140,000 people die each year because of snakebites, and around 400,000 amputations and other permanent disabilities are caused by snakebites each year.

Bites by venomous snakes can cause paralysis that may prevent breathing, bleeding disorders that can lead to a fatal hemorrhage, irreversible kidney failure and tissue damage that can cause permanent disability and limb amputation. Agricultural workers and children are the most affected. Children often suffer more severe effects than adults, due to their smaller body mass.

Shortage of Antivenins

Africa has an abundance of dangerous venomous snakes and snakes could be anywhere, which means they are everywhere.

Antivenin is a medication made from antibodies that is used to treat certain venomous bites and stings. A significant challenge in manufacturing of antivenins in Africa is the preparation of the correct snake venoms.

Right now, very few countries are able to produce snake venoms of acceptable quality for antivenins, in addition, these antivenins may not properly reflect the geographical variation that occurs in the venoms of some widespread species. In addition, lack of regulatory capacity for the control of antivenins in countries with significant snakebite problems results in an inability to assess the quality and appropriateness of the antivenins.

The price of some antivenin products has dramatically increased in the last 25 years, making treatment unaffordable for the majority of those who need it. However, the cost of actually making the antivenin adds up to roughly one-tenth of one percent of the total cost. A combination of factors has led to the present snakebite crisis in Africa. Without access to the only effective treatment, antivenin, the death rate will remain high from snakebites, with survivors often suffering life-altering disability

List of dangerous snakes and important venomous snakes in the Africa to create antivenin, the Puff Adder is the snake responsible for most deaths.

1. Anchieta's Cobra

2. Ashe's Spitting Cobra

3. Banded Water Cobra

4. Bibron's Burrowing Asp

5. Big-Headed Carpet Viper

6. Black Mamba

7. Black Tree Cobra

8. Black-Necked Spitting Cobra

9. Boomslang

10. Broadley's Bush Viper

11. Burton's Carpet Viper

12. Cape Cobra

13. Christy's Water Cobra

14. Desert Cobra

15. Desert Viper

16. East African Carpet Viper

17. East African Gabon Viper

18. Eastern Green Mamba

19. Egyptian Cobra

20. Ethiopian Mountain Adder

21. False Burrowing Asp

22. Field's Horned Viper

23. Forest Cobra

24. Forest Vine Or Twig Snake

25. Gold's Tree Cobra

26. Horned Viper

27. Hughes' Carpet Viper

28. Israeli Mole Viper

29. Jameson's Mamba

30. Joger's Carpet Viper

31. Lataste's Viper

32. Levant Viper

33. Lowland Swamp Viper

34. Moorish Viper

35. Mozambique Spitting Cobra

36. Mozambique Vine Snake

37. Nubian Spitting Cobra

38. Puff Adder

39. Red Spitting Cobra

40. Rhinoceros Viper

41. Rinkhals Spitting Cobra

42. Savanna Vine Or Twig Snake

43. Senegalese Cobra

44. Snouted Cobra

45. Usambara Vine Snake

46. Variable Burrowing Asp

47. Variable Bush Viper

48. West African Brown Spitting Cobra

49. West African Bush Viper

50. West African Carpet Viper

51. West African Gabon Viper

52. Western Green Mamba

53. White-Bellied Carpet Viper

54. Zebra Cobra

Read more about Africa online

Puff Adder is the snake responsible for most deaths in Africa.

Did you know? A knowledge of which species of venomous snakes present the greatest risks to human populations in any particular region or country is essential to addressing snakebite problems.

More Articles to Read ♛♛♛

Show more

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

May the Devil Take Yours Bones: Curses in Tanzania

Image
To ward off curses, witchcraft and evil spirits, the use of protective symbols such as wearing or hanging a talisman called Gurudumu is common practice. In Tanzania, witchcraft superstitions are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs and traditions. Witchcraft superstitions such as albino witchcraft and curses are powerful beliefs throughout certain parts of Tanzania. A talisman called Gurudumu. Albino Curses and Witchcraft in Tanzania. There is a strong belief in the existence of albino witches who are thought to possess magical powers. This belief has unfortunately led to the persecution and violence against albinos, as some people seek their body parts for use in witchcraft rituals. Some traditional beliefs and superstitions associate albinism with supernatural or magical powers. This misconception fuels the demand for albino body parts, as they are believed to possess mystical properties that can bring wealth, success, or protection from harm. In certain communities, there is a bel
Read the Article

Top Dog Breed in Africa the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Image
History and enduring popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a remarkable African breed of dog. Learn about the Rhodesian Ridgeback origins in southern Africa to its rise in prominence among European settlers in Rhodesia, this unique canine possesses a captivating blend of courage, strength, and loyalty. Discover why the Rhodesian Ridgeback has become a beloved companion and versatile working dog, both in its native Africa and around the world. Uncover the secrets behind its distinctive ridge and the traits that have made it a sought-after breed, ensuring its enduring popularity. Rhodesian Ridgeback The captivating history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a true symbol of African heritage and excellence. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a distinctive breed of dog that originated in southern Africa, particularly in what is now known as Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). The history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dates back several centuries and is intertwined with the exploration, colonization, and develop
Read the Article

Kibo the Old Chimpanzee

Image
The story of Kibo the Old Chimpanzee highlights the valuable lesson that wisdom and knowledge can continue to develop as we age.  Just like the old chimpanzee, Kibo, who demonstrated enhanced problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, and behavioral flexibility, the story reminds us that life experiences and accumulated knowledge can contribute to continued growth and learning. It emphasizes the importance of valuing and seeking wisdom from older we who have valuable insights to offer. Kibo the Old Chimpanzee Story of Wisdom Growing with Age. Once in a forgotten time in a chimpanzee sanctuary, there lived an old male chimpanzee named Kibo. Kibo had spent most of his life in the sanctuary, rescued from a difficult past. He had seen his share of hardships, but his age had only brought wisdom and a remarkable ability to adapt and learn. As Kibo grew older, his companions noticed a change in his behavior. He became the go-to chimpanzee whenever a complex problem arose. Whether it w
Read the Article

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
Read the Article