How to survive the venom
Feb 08, 2009
WHILE working in a garden near their home at Kyamugugu village in Mubende district at about 10:00am, 14-year-old Edith Nakatudde, was bitten by a snake. She was rushed to a health centre, given an injection, tablets and discharged.
By Thomas Pere
WHILE working in a garden near their home at Kyamugugu village in Mubende district at about 10:00am, 14-year-old Edith Nakatudde, was bitten by a snake. She was rushed to a health centre, given an injection, tablets and discharged.
“By afternoon of the same day, her temperature was high and she was unable to breathe,†says her father Jacob Bbosa.
The following morning, Bbosa took her to a clinic in Mityana, where she was admitted. Her chest, back and arms were swollen.
“When the swelling subsided, the affected arm started rotting,†Bbosa narrates. Her arm was amputated since it had fully-developed gangrene. If a limb is not amputated, gangrene can produce toxins, poison the body and lead to death.
Uganda, is a favourable habitat for snakes. About 200 species of snakes live in East Africa. Of the 47 dangerous species, 18 are known to have killed humans.
The most dangerous snakes include the viper, puff adder, spitting cobra, garbon viper and black mamba.
Yasin Kazibwe of the Uganda Reptile Centre in Entebbe says: “It is important to know that snakes do not bite except when disturbed.â€
He says in order to keep snakes away from your home, keep your compound clean, keep poultry and rodents away from the house and seal all cracks and holes in the house.
Stephen Spawls, in his book A Field Guide To Reptiles of East Africa, says: “Certain seasons and times carry more risk of snakebites than others. In East Africa, the hazardous seasons include the start of the rainy season.
Snakebites are also common when farmers begin to plough and plant and during the harvest season.â€
Spawls says: “The most hazardous time for a snakebite is the half hour before total darkness and the first two hours after. This is when snakes are most active.â€
Research from Gulu Referral Hospital, reveals that, there are at least nine cases of snake bites reported per month. The most prone areas are northern and eastern Uganda.
First aid
A bite from a poisonous snake requires emergency care. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
The first step is to protect yourself against the same snake. Keep the victim calm and reassure them that bites can be effectively treated.
Restrict movement to reduce the flow of venom. Apply a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite.
Dr. Robert Wangoda, a surgeon at Mulago Hospital says: “The general treatment involves administering anti-venom to neutralise the effect.â€
He says supportive treatment includes bed rest to minimise pain, reassuring of the victim, dressing the wound, vaccination against tetanus and giving antibiotics.
Victims of snake bites may die of fright within minutes. This is known as fright death. Or they may die of venom poison. This is common with children and the elderly.
The signs and symptoms at the bite include the presence of fang marks, small penetrating wounds, bleeding, swelling and pain.
However, systemic signs and symptoms occur only with poisonous snakes.
Wangoda says the Government needs to create awareness, stock health centres and improve storage facilities in areas prone to attacks by snakes. Health personnel should be trained on how to handle snake bites.
Where to receive treatment
Dr. Jacinto Amandua the commissioner for clinical services at the ministry of health says incase you are beaten by a snake go to the nearest health unit. You will receive the necessary first aid.
He says not all are poisonous and anti-snake venom is manufactured for a specific snake.
Amandua says he is not sure of availability of anti-venom in the country. He recommends getting first aid from the nearest accredited health facility when the unexpected happens.
WHILE working in a garden near their home at Kyamugugu village in Mubende district at about 10:00am, 14-year-old Edith Nakatudde, was bitten by a snake. She was rushed to a health centre, given an injection, tablets and discharged.
“By afternoon of the same day, her temperature was high and she was unable to breathe,†says her father Jacob Bbosa.
The following morning, Bbosa took her to a clinic in Mityana, where she was admitted. Her chest, back and arms were swollen.
“When the swelling subsided, the affected arm started rotting,†Bbosa narrates. Her arm was amputated since it had fully-developed gangrene. If a limb is not amputated, gangrene can produce toxins, poison the body and lead to death.
Uganda, is a favourable habitat for snakes. About 200 species of snakes live in East Africa. Of the 47 dangerous species, 18 are known to have killed humans.
The most dangerous snakes include the viper, puff adder, spitting cobra, garbon viper and black mamba.
Yasin Kazibwe of the Uganda Reptile Centre in Entebbe says: “It is important to know that snakes do not bite except when disturbed.â€
He says in order to keep snakes away from your home, keep your compound clean, keep poultry and rodents away from the house and seal all cracks and holes in the house.
Stephen Spawls, in his book A Field Guide To Reptiles of East Africa, says: “Certain seasons and times carry more risk of snakebites than others. In East Africa, the hazardous seasons include the start of the rainy season.
Snakebites are also common when farmers begin to plough and plant and during the harvest season.â€
Spawls says: “The most hazardous time for a snakebite is the half hour before total darkness and the first two hours after. This is when snakes are most active.â€
Research from Gulu Referral Hospital, reveals that, there are at least nine cases of snake bites reported per month. The most prone areas are northern and eastern Uganda.
First aid
A bite from a poisonous snake requires emergency care. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
The first step is to protect yourself against the same snake. Keep the victim calm and reassure them that bites can be effectively treated.
Restrict movement to reduce the flow of venom. Apply a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite.
Dr. Robert Wangoda, a surgeon at Mulago Hospital says: “The general treatment involves administering anti-venom to neutralise the effect.â€
He says supportive treatment includes bed rest to minimise pain, reassuring of the victim, dressing the wound, vaccination against tetanus and giving antibiotics.
Victims of snake bites may die of fright within minutes. This is known as fright death. Or they may die of venom poison. This is common with children and the elderly.
The signs and symptoms at the bite include the presence of fang marks, small penetrating wounds, bleeding, swelling and pain.
However, systemic signs and symptoms occur only with poisonous snakes.
Wangoda says the Government needs to create awareness, stock health centres and improve storage facilities in areas prone to attacks by snakes. Health personnel should be trained on how to handle snake bites.
Where to receive treatment
Dr. Jacinto Amandua the commissioner for clinical services at the ministry of health says incase you are beaten by a snake go to the nearest health unit. You will receive the necessary first aid.
He says not all are poisonous and anti-snake venom is manufactured for a specific snake.
Amandua says he is not sure of availability of anti-venom in the country. He recommends getting first aid from the nearest accredited health facility when the unexpected happens.