Things you didn’t Know about Snakebites in Kenya

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.

1. 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.
2. One antivenom vial costs KSh. 4000 of which some use to 12 Vials
3. 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.
4. Global warming contributes to the rising danger of snake-bites since the heat makes them go fetch for water
5. You and I are wrong about the First Aid given to a Snake-bite victim
6. You can prevent Snakes from coming to your home by use a Pest control agency like Rentokil
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Do not kill snake otherwise there are ways to avoid being bitten by one here.
10. 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