WHO develops global strategy to halve number of deaths by snake

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that is responsible for enormous suffering, disability and premature death on every continent.

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that is responsible for enormous suffering, disability and premature death on every continent. As over 5.8 billion people are at risk of encountering a venomous snake, it is not surprising but no less tragic that almost 7400 people every day are bitten by snakes, and 220–380 men, women and children die as a result (1, 2, 3), adding up to about 2.7 million cases of envenoming and 81000–138 000 deaths a year.

WHO has developed a global strategy to halve the number of snakebite induced deaths and disabilities by 2030 – the executive summary is released today (6 May 2019), and the full strategy will be launched at this year's World Health Assembly. The strategy focuses on a combination of community empowerment and engagement, improved access to safe and effective treatments, measures that strengthen health systems and move countries closer to achieving universal health coverage, and greater cooperation and coordination between stakeholders in countries and across regions.