Nigerians warned about snakebite being silent killer

Chukwuma Anyaike, a retired director of public health at the Federal Ministry of Health, has warned that snakebite envenoming, a neglected tropical disease of highest priority, is a major public health threat in Nigeria.

Mr Anyaike said this on Monday in Abuja, describing snakebite as a “silent killer” that disproportionately affects farmers, herders and rural dwellers, groups critical to the nation’s food security and economic stability.

Recent data presented during the World NTD Day 2026 indicate that Nigeria remains one of the world’s high-burden countries for snakebite envenoming, with the carpet viper (Echis ocellatus) accounting for over 60 per cent of reported cases.

He noted that, despite the availability of effective treatment, outcomes remain poor due to delayed hospital presentation, inadequate health facility capacity, and widespread reliance on traditional remedies.

“About 82 per cent of snakebite victims first seek traditional treatment. These delays significantly increase the risk of death or permanent disability,” Mr Anyaike said.

He noted that snakebite is not just a medical emergency but a socio-economic crisis.

“When a farmer is bitten, the impact goes beyond the individual. It affects household income, food production, and community resilience,” he said.

According to him, findings also reveal that nearly half of health facilities in high-burden areas lack the full capacity to administer antivenom, citing shortages of trained personnel, cold-chain systems and consistent antivenom supply.

“Specialised centres such as the Kaltungo Snakebite Hospital in Gombe State, as well as facilities in Bauchi State, have become referral points for severe cases, highlighting the limited distribution of functional snakebite treatment centres across the country,” Mr Anyaike said.

He stressed that prevention remains one of the most effective strategies to reduce snakebite incidence, particularly among farmers and rural residents.

Mr Anyaike advised residents to use torches or flashlights when walking outdoors at night, to wear thick knee-high boots and long trousers when working on farms or in tall grass, and to keep surroundings free of debris, woodpiles, and overgrown weeds where snakes often hide.

He also highlighted the importance of a correct first-aid response in the event of a bite. “If a bite occurs, time is life. Victims should stay calm, move away from the snake, immobilise the affected limb and seek immediate medical care,” he said.

Mr Anyaike cautioned against harmful practices such as tying tourniquets, cutting or sucking the wound, and applying herbs, noting that such actions often worsen injuries and increase the likelihood of infection and amputation.

“These practices do not neutralise venom. Delays in getting antivenom remain the leading cause of snakebite deaths in Nigeria,” he said.

He called for improved access to anti-venom, strengthened rural health infrastructure, and sustained public awareness campaigns as Nigeria aligns with the World Health Organisation’s target to halve snakebite deaths and disabilities by 2030.

He urged governments, development partners and communities to treat snakebite envenoming with urgency, stressing that awareness, early treatment and investment in the health system could save thousands of lives annually.

The WHO also said Nigeria is among the countries worst affected by snakebites, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 cases and roughly 2,000 deaths annually.

Some estimates by the WHO suggested the burden was higher, with 43,000 cases and 1,900 deaths reported in 2025.