At least eight snake bite cases were reported in Rubkona County’s Roriak Payam in Unity State last week and a 15-year-old girl died among them after the area was inundated by floods.
The floodwaters have forced reptiles and other animals to compete for high dry ground with humans.
Jal Kuol, the Rubkona County health director, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday afternoon that the snake bite cases have been on the rise since last month.
“The root cause of all this is the floodwaters which spread to areas of Roriak since August and overrun the habitats of snakes and that is why there are many cases of snake bites this year. There were fewer cases last year because the water reduced early,” he explained. “The deceased passed away at Roriak Health Care Unit and the other seven cases are being managed at the same health center.”