snake bites a neglected global health priority

[Anonymous]

I read a headline about snake bites being a neglected global health crisis last weekend.



Today, The Provocateur turns its attention to one of the planet's most neglected global health issues: snake bites. According to the Global Snakebite Initiative, every year around the world 2.7 million people are seriously injured by snakes and 125,000 people are killed. The problem is particularly acute in rural communities in India and sub-Saharan Africa, where a lack of education surrounding snake hazards compounds the issue of chronic underinvestment into anti-venom treatments.



In this episode I talk to Robert Williams, an MSc candidate in Global Health at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, about the global snakebite crisis. We explore his interest in the subject, his fieldwork in Uganda and the implications of taking snake bites seriously as a global health priority. Robert also gives some tips on what to do if you or a friend is bitten by a snake.



https://provocateurpodcast.com/2017/01/24/robert-williams-snake-bites-as-a-global-health-priority/">https://provocateurpodcast.com/2017/01/ ... -priority/">https://provocateurpodcast.com/2017/01/24/robert-williams-snake-bites-as-a-global-health-priority/

[Anonymous]

Some stats from the World Health Organization about the global snake bite crisis.



Though the exact number of snake bites is unknown an estimated 5 million people are bitten each year with up to 2.5 million envenomings.

At least 100 000 people die as a result of snake bites each year, and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities are caused by snakebites annually.

Bites by venomous snakes can cause paralysis that may prevent breathing; bleeding disorders that can lead to a fatal haemorrhage; irreversible kidney failure and tissue damage that can cause permanent disability and which may result in limb amputation.

Agricultural workers and children are the most affected. Children often suffer more severe effects than adults, due to their smaller body mass.





Global situation



Snake bite is a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries. About 5 million snake bites occur each year, resulting in up to 2.5 million envenomings (poisoning from snake bites)1, at least 100 000 2,3 deaths and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities.1



Most of these occur in Africa, Asia and Latin America.2 In Africa alone there are an estimated 1 million snake bites annually with about half needing treatment. This type of injury is often found among women, children and farmers in poor rural communities in low- and middle-income countries. It is mainly in countries where health systems are weakest and medical resources sparse.



Bites by venomous snakes can cause acute medical emergencies involving severe paralysis that may prevent breathing; bleeding disorders that can lead to fatal haemorrhage; irreversible kidney failure and severe local tissue destruction that can cause permanent disability and may result in limb amputation. Children suffer more severe effects than adults due to their smaller body mass.



http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs337/en/">http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs337/en/

[Anonymous]

This does not surprise me. I am glad I do not have to take precautions against poisonous snakes.

[Anonymous]

I don't venture too far from the beaches in Central America. If you wander into the rainforests, you should be careful.

[Bricktop]

We live with them here...but we're well acquainted with how to co-habit safely and how to respond to snake bite. We've had lethal snakes in our yard, and pool.

[Anonymous]

We live with them here...but we're well acquainted with how to co-habit safely and how to respond to snake bite. We've had lethal snakes in our yard, and pool.

Same in Arizona. Most people know how to co-habitate with snakes.

[Anonymous]

Some stats from the World Health Organization about the global snake bite crisis.



Though the exact number of snake bites is unknown an estimated 5 million people are bitten each year with up to 2.5 million envenomings.

At least 100 000 people die as a result of snake bites each year, and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities are caused by snakebites annually.

Bites by venomous snakes can cause paralysis that may prevent breathing; bleeding disorders that can lead to a fatal haemorrhage; irreversible kidney failure and tissue damage that can cause permanent disability and which may result in limb amputation.

Agricultural workers and children are the most affected. Children often suffer more severe effects than adults, due to their smaller body mass.





Global situation



Snake bite is a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries. About 5 million snake bites occur each year, resulting in up to 2.5 million envenomings (poisoning from snake bites)1, at least 100 000 2,3 deaths and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities.1



Most of these occur in Africa, Asia and Latin America.2 In Africa alone there are an estimated 1 million snake bites annually with about half needing treatment. This type of injury is often found among women, children and farmers in poor rural communities in low- and middle-income countries. It is mainly in countries where health systems are weakest and medical resources sparse.



Bites by venomous snakes can cause acute medical emergencies involving severe paralysis that may prevent breathing; bleeding disorders that can lead to fatal haemorrhage; irreversible kidney failure and severe local tissue destruction that can cause permanent disability and may result in limb amputation. Children suffer more severe effects than adults due to their smaller body mass.



http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs337/en/">http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs337/en/

Common sense is not so common in the countries where most snake bites occur.

[Anonymous]

We live with them here...but we're well acquainted with how to co-habit safely and how to respond to snake bite. We've had lethal snakes in our yard, and pool.

That must give you a fright when that happens..



What do you do in those instances?

[Bricktop]

Well, if they're in the pool, fish them out and dump them over the fence.



If they're just passing through the yard, remain still and let them go on their way.  As long as you don't startle them, they have no interest in biting what they can't eat.

[Anonymous]

Well, if they're in the pool, fish them out and dump them over the fence.

Neighbours problem.

[Bricktop]

That's probably where it came from in the first place!!!!



Nah, we're backed onto bushland. Back to the bush they go.

[Anonymous]

That's probably where it came from in the first place!!!!



Nah, we're backed onto bushland. Back to the bush they go.

What do you use to grab them and release them into the bush?

[Bricktop]

Pool net. Very effective.

[Anonymous]

Pool net. Very effective.

I could see that being an effective tool.

[Angry White Male]

Look, people in shithole countries die from a ton of things every day...



This is what happens when you are third world, live amongst a billion or two other third worlders, and KEEP POPPING OUT FUCKING KIDS LIKE RABBITS!



Fash, dying from a snakebite is the least of their concerns.  They cannot even feed their ten fucking kids, nor even have clean water to drink.



These people are hopeless, trust me...  They do not learn, as they are primitive and not capable of doing so.



The more that die, the better off are those that remain.



THIS is how nature works...  You cannot interfere.  And money won't help them.