As the world marks International Snakebite Awareness Day on September 19, health experts are urging people to treat every snakebite as a medical emergency and seek care promptly to reduce the risk of severe complications and long-term disability.

Speaking to The New Times, Ladislas Nshimiyimana, Acting Director of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and Other Parasitic Diseases Unit at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), outlined key first aid steps people should take after a snakebite while seeking medical attention.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes each year, with 1.8 million to 2.7 million suffering envenoming. In Africa there are an estimated 435,000 to 580,000 snake bites annually that need treatment.

Snakebites cause between 81,410 and 137,880 deaths annually, while many more suffer permanent disabilities, including amputations. Children and agricultural workers are among the most affected.

1. Stay calm and keep still

After a snakebite, the victim should remain calm and avoid unnecessary movement while seeking medical help.

Movements like running after a snake bite are dangerous because physical activity and a fast heart rate pump the venom through the body much faster.

The person should be kept as still as possible and taken to a health facility as soon as possible.

2. Remove tight items

After a snake bite, tight objects such as rings, bracelets, watches, shoes or tight clothing should be removed as soon as possible because swelling can develop rapidly around the bite.

As the limb expands, these objects can become constricting and restrict blood flow, potentially causing further tissue damage.

Removing them early helps prevent this complication and makes it easier for medical workers to monitor and treat the swelling.

3. Do not tie the affected area

People should not tie the area where they have been bitten in an attempt to stop the venom from spreading.

Nshimiyimana said such practices can cause serious complications and damage to the affected limb.

"Some people have tried tying off areas near a snakebite, believing it would limit the spread of venom. However, this can lead to severe complications, and in some cases, it has resulted in the affected parts, like a leg, being severely damaged and requiring amputation,” he said.

4. Avoid unproven treatments

People should not apply traditional remedies, herbs or other unproven substances to the bite, as these can delay appropriate medical treatment.

The priority should be to keep the victim still and seek medical attention as quickly as possible.

The old practice of giving alcohol or coffee after a snakebite should also not be relied on as treatment. The priority is urgent medical care.

5. Seek immediate medical assistance

It is crucial to get to a health facility as soon as possible after being bitten by a snake.

If possible, the victim should be accompanied and should avoid unnecessary walking or movement while being taken for treatment.

Antivenom is the main specific treatment for venomous snakebite and can prevent or reverse many of the harmful effects of envenoming when the appropriate antivenom is given promptly.

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Nshimiyimana also advised people to take precautions to prevent snakebites. He urged people not to handle or provoke snakes and to be cautious when walking through tall grass, bushes, around stones or in other areas where snakes may hide.

Wearing protective clothing can reduce exposure when working or walking in areas where snakes may be present. People should also regularly clear bushes around their homes and avoid storing logs, stones or other materials that can provide hiding places for snakes.

He also advised keeping beds raised above the ground and ensuring mosquito nets are properly tucked in to reduce the risk of snakes reaching people while they sleep.

The effects of a snakebite depend on the type of snake and the venom involved. Symptoms may include swelling and pain at the bite site, numbness or loss of sensation, dizziness, weakness and difficulty breathing. Severe envenoming can cause paralysis, bleeding disorders, kidney failure and tissue damage that may result in permanent disability or amputation.

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According to RBC, a study conducted in 2020 involving 390,546 people across 763 villages found an estimated annual snakebite incidence of about 4.3 per 1,000 people.

Only 13 per cent of victims initially sought formal healthcare, while 87 per cent used informal sources. Unsafe treatment methods were common, and only 24 of 1,098 victims received antivenom.

The study called for better access to antivenom and increased awareness of safe treatment practices.

Another study in Bugesera District involving 274 snakebite cases reported between July 2019 and February 2022 found that 65 per cent of victims experienced delays in treatment.

The delays contributed to severe complications in 16.5 per cent of cases, including amputations and one death.