According to the Institute of Primate Research (IPR) in Kenya, about 20,000 people are bitten by snakes annually in Kenya. Among these cases, an estimated 4,000 result in fatalities, while 7,000 individuals experience paralysis or suffer from various health complications as a consequence of snakebites.
According to the Kenya Snakebite Research and Intervention Centre, KSRIC, about 60% of snakebite victims do not seek hospital treatment, opting instead for ineffective traditional methods.
Kenya imports antivenom from Mexico and India. However, 50% of the imported antivenoms are ineffective. Antivenoms are mostly region-specific, meaning those produced from venoms in one region might not effectively treat snakebites in a different region.
KSRIC in collaboration with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, is actively working on developing an anti-venom aimed at significantly reducing deaths from snakebites.
This partnership combines local expertise and international research to create effective treatments that can save lives and improve the management of snakebite incidents in affected regions.
Researchrrs at KSRIC are equipped with tools and expertise as they undertake the dangerous task of extracting venom from one of Africa’s most venomous snakes, the black mamba.
Their mission is to harvest the venom needed to produce the next generation of anti-venom for snakebite victims. This life-saving endeavour aims to enhance medical treatments and improve outcomes for those affected by venomous snakebites across East Africa.
The research is already at an advanced stage, involving immunizing camels, baboons, and cows to raise antibodies for the future development of antivenoms.
As climate change becomes more erratic and snakebite cases increase, KSRIC is also collaborating with communities to improve knowledge on snakebite prevention, how to handle snakes and how to perform first aid on victims.
