Between 2015 and 2020, Ghana documented 59,600 cases of snakebites, marking the first comprehensive collection of such data. This averages to 9,900 cases annually. More instances were recorded in males (5,600 per year) compared to females (4,300 per year). Dr. Joseph Opare, the Programme Manager of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) at the Ghana Health Service, revealed these statistics during the launch of the African Snakebite Alliance (ASA) Ghana.
Snakebite is one of the 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), with Ghana being endemic to 14 of them. The mortality rate due to venomous snakebites surpasses that of Ebola, particularly in low and middle-income countries, making snakebite envenoming one of the deadliest NTDs globally.
In Ghana, snakebites predominantly affect individuals in rural communities engaged in farming, hunting, and fishing, with the Upper West, Ashanti, and Eastern regions experiencing the highest incidences. To mitigate snakebite-related fatalities and disabilities, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has implemented measures to enhance surveillance and ensure the availability of adequate antivenoms. Additionally, they are intensifying awareness campaigns to educate individuals on preventive measures.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, including the lack of reliable data on snake types and distribution, limited accessibility and affordability of antivenoms, and inadequate protective gear for rural farmers. The establishment of the African Snakebite Alliance (ASA) aims to address these challenges by fostering collaboration between international scientific communities, policymakers, and local stakeholders.
The ASA's objectives include conducting high-quality research relevant to improving health outcomes for snakebite victims in Africa, supporting the integration of research evidence into policy and planning at national and regional levels, and building sustainable capacity for snakebite research in Africa.
Antivenoms, while effective, face issues of availability and quality control in regions where they are needed most. The WHO prequalification process is working to address these issues by evaluating alternative antivenoms that meet international standards for procurement.
Despite snakebite being covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana, there remains a scarcity of vaccines for its treatment, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing this neglected public health issue.
