A new article was published, on January 3rd 2025, about the medically important snakes of Sudan in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (TRSTMH). The article reviewed snakebite envenomation (SBE) in Sudan from 1908- 2024.
Snakebite remains a neglected tropical disease causing significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its widespread impact, there is a critical lack of updated data on venomous snakes and their geographical distribution, with most available information dating back to the early 20th century.
To address this gap, the authors conducted a narrative review of literature spanning from 1908 to 2024, combining systematic searches across databases, historical publications, and field experiences.
Key Findings:
- They identified 19 medically significant snake species from four families.
- Venoms exhibit neurotoxic, hemotoxic, and cytotoxic effects.
- The most dangerous species include:
- North-east African carpet viper/saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum)
- Nubian Spitting Cobra (Naja nubiae)
- Sudan Burrowing Asp (Atractaspis phillipsi)
⚠️ Challenges in Snakebite Management:
- Limited availability of specific antivenoms.
- Inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
- Over-reliance on traditional medicine.
🛡️ Recommendations:
- Establish a national snakebite registry.
- Improve healthcare infrastructure and antivenom access.
- Develop training programs for healthcare professionals.
- Increase public awareness campaigns.
- Foster international collaborations for antivenom production.
- Invest in molecular research on snake venom composition.
Tackling snakebite envenomation requires collective efforts at national and international levels. Together, we can reduce the burden of this neglected tropical disease in Sudan.
The article can be read here.
#SnakebiteAwareness #PublicHealth #NeglectedTropicalDiseases #Sudan #SnakebiteResearch #Antivenom #GlobalHealth #OneHealth
