Nigeria records 43,000 snakebites, 2,500 deaths yearly - Medical experts reveal

Health experts in Nigeria have urged residents to avoid handling snakes and to seek prompt medical attention for snakebites, as Nigeria records an estimated 43,000 cases annually.  

The cases result in between 1,099 and 2,500 deaths yearly.

The experts gave the advice at a national training workshop on snakebite handling, treatment, and management at the Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 27.

A medical expert, Abubakar Ballah, described snakebite as a neglected tropical disease, identifying the carpet viper as responsible for about 66 per cent of snakebite deaths in Nigeria.

Ballah cited World Health Organisation estimates of 5.4 million snakebites globally each year, resulting in 81,000 to 138,000 deaths and about 400,000 cases of permanent disability.

He identified Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, and Taraba as major snakebite-endemic states, particularly within the Niger-Benue trough and Sudan Savanna.

According to him, farmers, herders, children, and hunters are among the most vulnerable, with cases often peaking during farming, rainy, and harvest seasons.

Ballah identified the carpet viper, puff adder, and black-necked spitting cobra as Nigeria’s three medically important snakes.

He said their venom could cause severe bleeding, tissue destruction, kidney injury, neurological complications, and respiratory paralysis.

He warned that delayed hospital presentation and harmful first aid could worsen patients’ conditions.
He said such practices include applying tight tourniquets, cutting bite wounds, using animal dung, and resorting to traditional remedies.

Citing clinical cases, Ballah said some patients died following delayed treatment and harmful first aid, while others recovered after early hospital presentation and appropriate care.

He identified the high cost of antivenom, poor healthcare access, bad roads, and inadequate blood bank services as factors contributing to snakebite deaths.

According to him, antivenom costs between ₦170,000 and ₦250,000 per vial.

Ballah stressed that trained healthcare personnel should administer antivenom when clinically indicated and monitor patients for allergic reactions and other complications.

He called for quality antivenom supplies, proper storage, improved referral systems, and community education to reduce snakebite-related deaths.

In a separate presentation titled “Dangerous Snakes of Lagos State, Nigeria,” wildlife conservation expert Dr. Mark Ofua advised residents against attempting to catch, kill, or handle snakes.

Ofua said snake encounters could occur in mangroves, swamps, farms, gardens, building sites, drains, compounds, and stores.

He urged residents to exercise caution in such environments and leave snake handling to trained personnel equipped with appropriate tools.

He identified the puff adder, black-necked spitting cobra, forest cobra, green mamba, and Gaboon viper among species requiring particular attention in Lagos