The health authorities of Warrap State on Wednesday revealed that cases of snakebites have surged due to large swaths of land being inundated by flood waters which has forced humans and reptiles to seek dry land.
According to officials, seven death cases from snakebites have been recorded since June in two counties and the state headquarters, and more than 78 cases of survivors documented in the counties of Twic, Tonj South, and Kuajok Main Hospital.
Andrea Achuil, the Twic County Health Director, said he has recorded 30 snakebite cases, including deaths, and appealed to health partners to provide antivenoms to the health facilities in the state.
“From June up to August, we have recorded six deaths as a result of snakebites and 24 survivors,” he said. “Some health organizations like MSF have antivenoms but government health facilities do not.”
Achuil said they used to address some cases of snake bites using hydrocortisone injections, a steroid, although it is not in the health protocol to treat snakebites, but helps victims.
He also revealed that they recorded 57 cases of dog bites between January and July and that lamentably, they also lack rabies vaccines.
For his part, Doctor Wol Wol, the Tonj South County Medical Director, said he recorded 17 snakebite survivors and one death.
“Regarding snakebites, one death was recorded in May when a woman delayed at home and was brought to the hospital when it was too late, in June alone, we had three cases, in July, due to the rise of water levels and tall grass, snakebite cases increased to 11 and in the first week of August, we recorded 3 snakebite cases,” he said.
Dr. Wol also said they lack antivenoms in the health facilities and urged the government and health partners to intervene because the locals cannot afford the equivalent of USD 50 for a dose of antivenom commercially. He added that the locals have to sell a cow to buy the medicine yet snakebites often happen at night.
“People should take precautionary measures and cut the grass around their homes because snakes hide in tall grasses,” he advised. “Secondly, they should use torches to light the path at night and wear gumboots.”
Meanwhile, John Akol Akol, the Warrap State health surveillance officer, confirmed the rise in snakebites and said it was typical of the rainy season.
“This (rainy) season experiences high cases of snakebites across the state due to a rise in water levels and both people and reptiles move to high land,” he stated. “So far, Mayen Abun Hospital in Twic County recorded 30 snakebite cases and Kuajok Main Hospital has recorded 37 cases. We will tally the number of cases at the end of the month.”