Navigating Snake Season: Tips for Preparedness and Awareness

By Ilyana Sithole

As we find ourselves in the thick of snake season in Zimbabwe, the worrying statistics presented by the Ministry of Health and Child Care are just not likely to go away. In fact, with at least 15 lives lost and over 3,000 reported cases this year alone, it becomes quite evident that this natural phenomenon poses a great threat to public safety. This, therefore, creates a dire need for awareness and constructive actions since the snakes become very active from September through to March after hibernation.

The latest Disease Surveillance Report has also cemented the dire need for education on snake bites as the cases reported have jumped from 707 last year to 3,087 this year-a factor that should propel individuals and society into action. Understanding the different types of snakes in our environment and the differences between venomous versus non-venomous is a very important first step. Venomous snakes are those with a potential for serious harm, everything from relatively minor symptoms-for example, swelling-to life-threatening complications such as paralysis and internal bleeding.

The most recent reports indicated 34 new snake bite cases were documented for the week that ended October 13, 2024, without any resultant death. This simply shows a concerning trend that health officials say the public must take seriously.

Snakes are venomous and non-venomous. Venom is toxic through fangs, which is used for hunting and self-defense, while poison enters the body by other means, such as ingesting and inhalation.

There are two types of snake bites: the dry bite, where there is no venom injected into the victim, and the venomous bite, which may be life-threatening and in most cases serious symptoms are seen. Symptoms of a non-venomous bite are mild swellings, redness, and bleeding from the bite site. Venomous bites may show puncture wounds, sever pain, nausea, dizziness, and in extreme conditions, difficulty breathing or muscle weakness.

In the event of a suspected venomous snake bite, action should be taken to move away from the area of the bite, loosen tight clothing or jewellery that may constrict swelling, keep the victim still, and seek medical attention. In addition, avoid traditional remedies and apply pressure only if advised to do so.

Among the fundamental challenges, there is a great deal of unawareness about snakebite prevention and management. Hardly any residents know how to make their yards less appealing to snakes. A fair share of basic activities such as regular foliage trimming, securing garbage, and removing standing water will go a long way in reducing encounters. Educative drives are therefore necessary to sensitize members of the public on the benefits of these measures as a means of prevention of risks.

More importantly, we need to be informed as to what should be done in the event of a bite. The course of action is pretty straightforward: move away from the site, seek immediate medical attention, and avoid traditional treatments of any kind. Timely medical attention-antivenom-can be lifesaving, yet a lot remains to be undertaken toward making such treatment available to all people, particularly those in rural areas where medical facilities are few and far between.

Health experts emphasize that awareness and education concerning snake bites mean a lot. A person should know how to act and how to avoid a particular situation in order to save lives. Most the envenomings could be effectively treated with antivenoms, but the availability of such and proper use is crucial in emergencies.

The emotional toll of snake bites is beyond the physical damage; it disrupts families and communities. Since they are of relatively small body mass, children are at an even greater risk. This calls for a collective responsibility in the protection of our loved ones and for bringing up awareness amongst the growing young minds regarding these risks.

Increasing snake bites really underline the added importance of learning to coexist with wildlife. Snakes are an important milestone in our ecosystem; they help get rid of several pests and ecological imbalances. Therefore, eradication may not be the sole or complete response but knowing and adjusting our behavior to minimize risks.

Governments, in collaboration with health authorities, need to take the lead role in the development of awareness and the availability of antivenoms all over the country. Community engagement in the form of workshops, along with educational resources, would allow citizens to gain knowledge necessary for protection of themselves and their family members.

As this is now a public challenge that faces the nation of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health and Child Care urges all citizens to be on their guard during this snake season. It is only with full community empowerment-remaining informed and prepared to help themselves in community cooperation-that the risks of the deadly snake bite are minimized.

So, as the snake season blooms, our watchfulness and preparedness must too. By fostering an atmosphere of awareness and readiness, the chances of snake bites and their appalling consequences will go down extraordinarily. Let these steps be taken with the view of surviving the snake season and not only subsisting but thriving in our wild-life-rich environments.