Experts have called for improved access to safe and affordable antivenom in healthcare facilities across the country to reduce the high incidence of preventable deaths, amputations and permanent disabilities associated with snakebites in Nigeria.

They identified late access to treatment, the high cost of antivenom and weak healthcare facilities in rural areas as the major causes of death and complications. Statistics from the Toxinological Society of Nigeria (TSN) show that the country records about 43,000 snakebite cases yearly, resulting in nearly 1,900 deaths.

The Director of the Veterinary Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Dr Sati Ngulunku, told The Guardian that snakebite is endemic in Nigeria, particularly in hot regions such as the Middle Belt and the North-West. He noted that although no part of the country is immune, a significant number of cases are recorded in states such as Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and parts of Plateau State.

According to him, snakebite is common in areas with a high diversity of snake species, especially poisonous ones. While the southern region has many snake species, the savannah areas are home to species such as the puff adder and cobra, which are among the most dangerous.
Ngulunku explained that in savannah regions, most snakebite cases occur during farming activities, especially in rural areas where farmers are more exposed to bushes and farmlands. He said snakes usually stay in holes in the ground during hot weather, but in extreme heat, particularly in the dry season, they seek cooler environments, which often leads them into houses.

He added that snakes are attracted by rodents, noting that the presence of rats in homes increases the likelihood of snake intrusion. To prevent this, he advised residents to block holes linking the outside to the interior of houses and ensure doors, especially entry and exit points, are properly closed.
He stressed that a prompt response is critical to reducing fatalities from snakebites. Ngulunku observed that controlling rodents, such as keeping cats and fumigating homes and surroundings, can help reduce snake presence. He warned that snakes can hide in ceilings, reproduce there and eventually infest entire houses if not detected early.

On immediate actions following snakebite, Ngulunku explained that some snake species are extremely poisonous, including one locally known in Hausa as Gobe Denisa, meaning “tomorrow is too far,” due to its deadly potency. He said the venom of some snakes is neurotoxic, attacking the nervous system, while others are haemolytic, destroying red blood cells and causing uncontrolled bleeding, which can lead to rapid death.

He advised that anyone bitten by a snake, whether poisonous or not, should be taken immediately to the nearest hospital. Where possible, something may be tied above the bite area to slow the spread of venom while seeking urgent medical attention. He emphasised that the faster the response, the higher the chances of survival, adding that public awareness is needed because many victims still resort to traditional remedies.

Ngulunku urged Nigerians to take precautionary measures, especially during hot weather, by keeping doors closed and exercising caution while working on farms or in bushy environments.
Also speaking, former National Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTLBC) at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, described snakebite envenoming as a Neglected Tropical Disease and a silent killer that can no longer be ignored. He said data from World NTD Day 2026 indicate that Nigeria remains a high-burden country, with the carpet viper (Echis ocellatus) responsible for over 60 per cent of reported cases.

Anyaike lamented that about 82 per cent of victims experience life-threatening delays because they first seek traditional remedies, while nearly half of health facilities in high-burden areas lack the capacity to administer life-saving antivenom.
He said risks could be reduced through proactive measures such as using a torch or flashlight at night, wearing thick knee-high boots and long trousers when farming or walking through tall grass, and keeping surroundings free of debris, woodpiles and tall weeds where snakes may hide.

Anyaike advised snakebite victims to remain calm, move away from the snake, immobilise the affected limb at or below heart level and proceed immediately to a hospital. Anyaike noted that specialised facilities such as the Kaltungo Snakebite Hospital and centres in Gombe and Bauchi are equipped to manage such emergencies.

On practices to avoid after snakebite, he warned against the use of tourniquets, which can lead to unnecessary amputations, as well as cutting or sucking the wound, which does not remove venom and may cause infection. He also cautioned against the use of traditional herbs, noting that delays in accessing antivenom remain the leading cause of death.

Anyaike stressed the need for improved access to antivenom and stronger rural health infrastructure, adding that awareness is a crucial step toward achieving the World Health Organisation’s goal of halving snakebite deaths by 2030.