Snake bites on the rise in Unity state amid worsening flooding

JUBA – Floods in South Sudan’s several parts of the South Sudan’s oil-rich Unity state has led to a dramatic increase in snake bites with more than 6,000 people bitten over the last month during encounters with snakes, according to medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

Dr. Christos Christou, MSF’s president, told reporters in Juba on Friday after his visit to Bentiu that the snake bites is a very serious issue facing community living in Bentiu with more than 6,000 bitten by snake over the last month.

“Snakebites here is one of the biggest problems and is linked to lack of primary healthcare,” Christou told reporters at the press briefing.

He attributed the rise of the snake bites to devastating floods in Bentiu IDP camp.

During the rainy season, which stretches for up to seven months, the Bentiu PoC site is prone to major flooding.

It causes water to seep into the shelters of tens of thousands of IDPs who fled violence during South Sudan’s civil war.

The flooding keeps families trapped inside with no access to services such as primary health care.

The flooding also increases the risk of transmission of deadly waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid and snake bites.

“In a snake bite, more than 6,000 have been bitten which is a small number compared to many people who may not make it to our facility for treatment,” Christou said.

He reiterated MSF readiness to help the government deliver antivenom in the areas to help save lives.

“We have antivenom today, if we distribute and deliver it to the people on time then we will have very good results,” he said.

“If not, I am afraid again, we will be in the position I was in Bentiu a month ago where I had to amputate two fingers of 3-years old baby and lower limps of another 14-years-old kid,”  he added.

He stressed the need to equip health care facilities with antivenom to curb the rise in snake bites.

“If we had healthcare facilities with antivenom then I am sure that the snake bit will be lack of the problem for the communities,” he said.