Snake bites trouble residents in Fangak County

The Medicines Sans Frontieres has rued the increasing cases of snake bites among the communities in Old Fangak County, Jonglei State.

“Here in Old Fangak MSF’s hospital, we have 10 to 12 related consultations… Snake bites are everywhere and most of them are dangerous,” said Emily Aliyah, an official of MSF at Old Fangak Hospital.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), snake bite is one of the most neglected public health issues in numerous tropical and subtropical countries. WHO states that about 5.4 million snake bites occur each year, resulting in 1.8 to 2.7 million cases, some of which are fatal.

The agency reports that there are between 81,410 and 137,880 death cases each year, with three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities.

Dr. Emily said the most common complication that the hospital receives is extensive necrotising wounds that require surgery, which he said the hospital could not manage to treat.

“We usually provide antivenom at admission if it is not too late, and, after the bite, we refer them to another facility in Malakal for surgical management of the wound,”  he said.

Dr. Emily said most snake bites often happen at night, and this makes it difficult for the victim to identify the type of snake.

“We found several kinds of mambas and cobras, so here in the hospital, we do a quick test to determine what kind of family venom it was.

 “If it is neurotoxic venom Cytotoxic venom can affect your nervous system and can lead to respiratory distress and sometimes death as the cytotoxic affects more tissues around the bites and eats the flesh”.

Most people, when bitten by a snake, tie the affected area while others suck the blood or the venom. However, Emily advised that the only safe first aid for the snake bite is to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

“The best thing to do is to remain calm and minimise movement, and one should go to the hospital quickly.’’

At the moment, South Sudan is facing challenges from floods in the states of Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) that have led to an increase in snakebites among people.

In old Fangak, several people who spoke to The City Review recently said most of the people were bitten by snakes while fishing or while collecting water lilies.

“Sometimes the snakes come to [residential areas]. [This is because] when the water increases, it becomes a big problem for the animals, and that is why people are bitten even at their homes,” a resident of Hia44 in Old Fangak said.