Stay alert for snakebites during the rainy season

____________

OPINION

By Martha Dorcas Nalweyiso

Snakebites are a serious and growing public health threat in Uganda. They are more common during the rainy season, as they thrive in wet and humid conditions, and are often displaced from fl ooded habitats, bringing them closer to homes and gardens. Everyone is at risk — both adults and children. During this rainy season, communities are encouraged to take simple preventive measures, such as clearing bushes, wearing protective gear and seeking immediate medical care to reduce the risk of severe illness and death.

According to Ministry of Health records, 56,740 snakebite cases were reported in Uganda between 2020 and 2024, with farming communities bearing the greatest burden. Women are especially at risk while gardening, collecting fi rewood and farming, while many adults are bitten during activities such as digging, harvesting, or walking through tall grass. Children and adolescents are also vulnerable, particularly when playing outdoors in bushy or poorly-cleared environments. Approximately 20% of snake species in Uganda are venomous, including commonly encountered species such as puff adders, black mambas and cobras.

Venomous snakes pose the greatest danger to human health. However, access to life-saving treatment remains a major challenge. Antivenom — the only specifi c treatment for snakebites — is available in only about 4% of health facilities, according to a 2018 study by the Coalition of Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS-Uganda). Furthermore, some anti-venom formulations are ineffective against all snake species in the country, limiting their clinical usefulness. In many communities, victims first seek traditional remedies, which delays appropriate medical care and increases the risk of severe illness.

Urgent action is needed at all levels to reduce the burden of snakebites. Communities can reduce their risk by keeping homesteads free of tall grass and bushes, which snakes use as hiding places. Village Health Teams (VHTs) play a critical role in reaching communities through dialogue and home visits, delivering targeted health education and referring suspected cases to nearby health facilities. Community members should be encouraged to promptly report snakebite incidents to the nearest health facility. Early reporting saves lives and enables the health ministry to identify high-risk areas and allocate anti-venom supplies more effectively.

Health workers also require regular training and orientation to ensure prompt and effective management of snakebite cases. Strengthening frontline response can save lives and reduce long-term disability. In addition, snakebite prevention should be integrated into Uganda’s broader health system, strengthening efforts and climate adaptation strategies, as changing weather patterns may increase human–snake encounters.

The good news is that snakebites are both preventable and treatable. Simple actions, such as wearing boots and gloves while gardening and clearing bushes around homes, using a torch when walking at night and seeking immediate medical care after a bite, can save lives.

During this rainy season, let us remain vigilant, keep our surroundings safe and act quickly. Snakes may be hidden in the grass, but with awareness and timely action, their impact can be reduced and lives saved.

The writer is a Field Epidemiology Fellow at the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Programme, Ministry of Health, hosted at the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre