A miscellaneous group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries affect more than one billion people every year - they are known as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and cost developing economies billions of dollars per year. Snake bite is one of them.
Snakebites is a serious health issue, but it remains invisible. The consequences of being bitten by a snake go beyond the impact on health and drive families further into poverty, undermining their futures and trapping them in debt. In Cox’s Bazar - a district prone to natural disasters, including floods - the risk of snakebites increases in the summer and rainy season, between May - October.
To enhance information on Snakebite Prevention and Control, WHO trained 222 health workers in Cox’s Bazar who will be better equipped to provide snake-bite-specific management and appropriate treatment in the district.
WHO Bangladesh/ Mehak Sethi
“This is one of the important steps to mitigate the impact of this preventable condition and medical emergency”, says Dr. Md. Shahjahan, Resident Physician at 250 Bed District Sadar Hospital, in Cox’s Bazar. “Since January 2018, a total of 254 people received treatment at Sadar Hospital, 35 cases caused by green pit viper bite, 9 by krait snake and 210 causes by non-venomous snakes”, he explains.
During the WHO training on snakebite prevention and management the General Secretary at the Toxicological Society of Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Robed Amin - a member of the national committee which is working on the preparation of national guidelines for snakebite - alerted the audience of the fact that many victims go to “ozhas”, or traditional healers, instead of seeking professional healthcare. This is a concern for the proper management of snakebites.
“In Cox’s Bazar, sea snakes, green pit viper and krait are common snakes, all of which are venomous”, explains Dr. Niaz Mowla, WHO Communicable Diseases Officer.
The training emphasized epidemiological importance and recent changes in international guidance for snakebite case management. This included the identification of medically-important species of snake in Bangladesh, clinical diagnosis, prevention of snakebites as well as the appropriate use of antivenoms and ancillary treatments.
“It is recommended to observe the patient closely for emerging signs of envenoming. Antivenom is the only effective antidote for snake venom. However, it is often expensive and in short supply.”, explains Dr. Niaz Mowla.
“Due to agricultural activities in Cox’s Bazar, the presence of numerous venomous snakes, and lack of community awareness to appropriately address this problem, several aspects of snakebite management remain unaddressed, leading to substantial mortality and morbidity. I hope that after this training you will feel better equipped to ensure safe and effective treatments”, says Dr. Egmond Evers, Health Operations Lead at WHO Emergency Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar, to the training’s participants.
Representatives of the Directorate General Health Services (DGHS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Non-Communicable Diseases Control (NCDC) shared their knowledge and technical expertise during the WHO Snakebite Prevention and Control training.
This year WHO included snake-bites to its list of neglected diseases and requested Member States, as part of the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Snake-bite envenoming, to initiate appropriate steps to mitigate the impact of this preventable condition which is an important medical emergency and cause of hospital admission. According to the Government of Bangladesh, snakebites are the cause of many hospital admissions, affecting 700 000 people and causing the death of 6000 every year.