Things you didn’t Know about Snakebites in Kenya
2 min read
Born and raised in Nairobi, I only see snakes in my dreams or rather imagine what they would to me. After watching the Victims of Venom documentary, it became real.
For the past four years, I have reading on diagnosis tests in Kenya on various diseases however, this neglected tropical disease from snakebites have never crossed my mind. I mean, I have been surrounded with things like Cholera outbreaks which made do a research that puts a scientific stamp on some of the interventions people use before specific diagnosis of diarrhea symptoms- Charcoal. Yes it should work according to my lab report. I mean it has been working for a huge number of households but that is not our business today.
- As much as 80% of snakes are not poisonous, in Kenya, at least 5 to 11 common poisonous types can kill you within at least 45 minutes without medical intervention.
- One antivenom vial costs KSh. 4000 of which some use to 12 Vials
- All anti-venom come from Asia with 1 snake not has an anti-venom meaning there are no anti-venoms specifically for snake variations found in Kenya.
- Global warming contributes to the rising danger of snake-bites since the heat makes them go fetch for water
- You and I are wrong about the First Aid given to a Snake-bite victim
- You can prevent Snakes from coming to your home by use a Pest control agency like Rentokil
- Apart from the toll free emergency number 1199, you can call or Whats App Cecilia 0795-285-992 or Stanley 0795-285-980 In case of a snakebite Emergency.
- There is one Research center in Kenya dealing with snakebites funded mainly by Foreigners called KSRIC. Otherwise research is mainly done by foreginers and barely funded by the Kenyan Governement.
- Do not kill snake otherwise there are ways to avoid being bitten by one here.
- Cases are rampant in Kakamega and Western Kenya, Lake Baringo and Laikipia, Kilifi and Malindi as well as Northern Kenya.

Free Emergency Centers in Kenya
Source of Feature image: NilePost
Other References Materials:
- Epidemiology of snake bites in selected areas of Kenya
- Preclinical antivenom-efficacy testing reveals potentially disturbing deficiencies of snakebite treatment capability in East Africa. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases