World Health Orgaization Strategy on Anti-Venom is Effective

World Health Organization has come up with a new strategy to dramatically cut the deaths and injuries from snake bites. This could soon lead to a spark in Public Health Emergency. As per the report, 3 million people are bitten by poisonous snakes and the death estimated is 81000 – 138000 deaths. And also 400,000 survivors suffer permanent disabilities and many other effects. Snake venom can even cause paralysis that stops breathing, bleeding disorders that lead to fatal hemorrhage, irreversible kidney failure and tissue damage that can cause permanent disability and limb loss.

90% of the snake victims live in the tropical and poorest regions and children are worse affected due to their small body. World Health Organization has already listed snake bite envenoming as a Neglected Tropical Disease. The ultimate strategy of the World Health Organization is to cut snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by 2030. Another significant part of the strategy is to increase the production of antivenoms. It also wants to reshape the market and employ greater regulatory control. A sustainable market is a need for the hour.

A 25% increase is a compulsory need by 2030. Snakebite treatment and response have to be included in the national health plans in the affected country and also the required training of health personnel and educating communities. There are many challenges in implementing this. A significant challenge in manufacturing of antivenoms is the preparation of correct immunogens. At present, there are many countries able to produce antivenoms. And many manufacturers rely on common commercial interests. There is a lack of regulatory capacity for the control of antivenoms and finally the poor data on the number and the type of snake bites.