Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, a retired Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, has warned that snakebite envenoming, classified as a highest-priority Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), remains a major public health threat in Nigeria.
Anyaike said this in an interview with reporters on Monday in Abuja, describing snakebite as a “silent killer” that disproportionately affects farmers, herders and rural dwellers—groups critical to the nation’s food security and economic stability.
Recent data presented during World NTD Day 2026 indicate that Nigeria remains one of the world’s high-burden countries for snakebite envenoming, with the carpet viper (Echis ocellatus) accounting for more than 60 per cent of reported cases.
He noted that despite the availability of effective treatment, outcomes remain poor due to delayed presentation at health facilities, inadequate capacity in many hospitals and widespread reliance on traditional remedies.
“About 82 per cent of snakebite victims first seek traditional treatment. These delays significantly increase the risk of death or permanent disability,” he said.
Anyaike emphasized that snakebite is not only a medical emergency but also a socio-economic crisis.
“When a farmer is bitten, the impact goes beyond the individual. It affects household income, food production and community resilience,” he said.
According to him, findings also show that nearly half of health facilities in high-burden areas lack the capacity to administer antivenom, due to shortages of trained personnel, cold-chain systems and consistent antivenom supply.
“Specialised centres such as the Kaltungo Snakebite Hospital in Gombe State, as well as some facilities in Bauchi State, have become referral points for severe cases, highlighting the limited distribution of functional snakebite treatment centres across the country,” he said.
He stressed that prevention remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing snakebite incidence, particularly among farmers and rural residents.
He advised people to use torches or flashlights when walking outdoors at night, wear thick knee-high boots and long trousers while farming or moving through tall grass, and keep their surroundings free of debris, woodpiles and overgrown weeds where snakes often hide.
Anyaike also highlighted the importance of appropriate first-aid response in the event of a bite.
“If a bite occurs, time is life. Victims should remain calm, move away from the snake, immobilise the affected limb and seek immediate medical care,” he said.
He cautioned against harmful practices such as tying tourniquets, cutting or sucking the wound, or applying herbs, noting that such actions often worsen injuries and increase the risk of complications.
“These practices do not neutralize venom. Delays in accessing antivenom remain the leading cause of snakebite deaths in Nigeria,” he said.
He called for improved access to antivenom, strengthened rural health infrastructure and sustained public awareness campaigns, in line with the World Health Organizations target of halving snakebite deaths and disabilities by 2030.
He urged governments, development partners and communities to treat snakebite envenoming with urgency, stressing that increased awareness, early treatment and investment in health systems could save thousands of lives each year.
