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. Additionally, it is estimated that about 400,000 of the envenomed patients suffer from either amputation of limbs, or display other severe health consequences, such as renal failure, necrosis, spontaneous bleeding, panhypopituitarism, diabetes, chronic neurological deficits, deformity and amputation of limbs.

The majority of snake bites occurs in South- and South-East Asia, Africa and South America. They are more common in rural areas, inhabited by people that depend on farming and other field working occupations for subsistence. Moreover, the socioeconomic impact on families and communities is adding to the burden of these injuries.

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 and 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.