Snakebite: identification, prevalence and management

ABSTRACT

Bites from venomous and non-venomous snakes occur throughout the world, but are particularly important in tropical and subtropical regions, where the large number of snake species and the rural lifestyle of the population can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. To determining the goals for reducing the morbidity and mortality as we have tried to explore the every aspect of the incidence. Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. Clinical confirmation of snakebite with envenoming was by identification of the dead snake brought by victims and by clinical signs and symptoms such as paralysis [krait and cobra] and rapid progressive local edema with active bleeding [viper]. Whole blood clotting test is a simple, rapid and reliable test of coagulopathy. It is also of use in assessing the effectiveness of ASV and is of crucial importance for controlling administration of expensive ASV in relation to restoration of blood coagulability. 130 [57.27%] patients were bitten from cobra and krait whereas 63 [27.76%] individuals were suffered from viper bites. 6 [2.64%] cases were victimized by sea snakes while 28 cases were bitten by some other species labeled as non venomous variety [Graph II]. These 28 cases did not have any signs of systemic envenoming. Among all snakebite victims 33[14.54%] developed complications like severe bleeding, jaundice, acute renal failure, intracranial bleed and respiratory failure. 25 [11.01%] deaths were ensue while remaining 202 were completely recovered. It was observed that Cobra, Krait, Russell's viper commonly called Dabois whereas saw scaled viper locally called as Lundi or Jalebi are responsible for practically all the snakes bite cases. As venom secretion is greater in the months of May to September the incidences of snakebite cases are higher in these months