Snakebite alert; 9,900 cases recorded annually

The country recorded 59,600 snakebite cases between 2015 and 2020, the first time such data has been put together. 

Burden of snakebite

Dr Opare said the exact burden of snakebite envenomation in the country was unknown, explaining that hospital visit rate of snakebite was estimated at 35 per 100,000 persons per year.

He mentioned factors slowing down Ghana’s progress in addressing snakebite envenoming to include the unavailability of reliable data on the types and distribution of snakes and the burden of snakebite, antivenoms not always available and accessible and sometimes unaffordable and the unavailability or unaffordability of protective gear for farmers in rural areas.

He said the objectives of the ASA were to undertake high-quality research relevant to improving health outcomes for people affected by snakebite in Africa; develop systems to support national and regional bodies in Africa to incorporate research evidence into decision-making in policy and planning and to develop and support a sustainable and cross-disciplinary capacity for snakebite research in Africa.

Dr Amuasi, who is also the Leader of the Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research Group of the KCCR, said as part of their work, they would be giving out small grants to other researchers who wanted to conduct any kind of research into snakebite and also ensure that the research findings were translated into policies.

The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, said most cases of snakebite were recorded from March to June and October to November of every year, which were the major and minor farming seasons.