Introduction

The Problem

The World Health Organization estimates that up to five million people are bitten every year by snakes. Out of these 5 million people, about 2.4 million are estimated to be envenomed, resulting in 94,000-125,000 deaths annually. It is estimated that about 400,000 of the envenomed patients suffer either amputation of limbs, or display other severe health consequences. These include renal failure, necrosis, spontaneous bleeding, panhypopituitarism, diabetes, chronic neurological deficits, and deformity.

The current “solution”

Antivenom remains the most effective antidote against snake envenomings. However, it is expensive and in short supply. As a consequence, it is either unpractical or unavailable in rural and underdeveloped countries due to challenged public health systems or poor infrastructure. Furthermore, it is not straight forward to administer the proper antidote, as the snake responsible for the envenoming is long gone and identification of such snake species is not the specialty of the medical personnel at the clinics.