Former Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Professor Abdulsalami Nasidi, has said snakebites should no longer result in death in Nigeria, stressing that effective antivenom exists but is undermined by panic, poor response, and circulation of fake drugs.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Monday following the reported death of a 25-year-old Abuja-based singer from snakebite complications, Nasidi described the incident as “a very unfortunate waste of a precious life,” adding that snakebite must always be treated as a medical emergency.
“Issue of snakebite should be treated as a medical emergency, irrespective of the type of snake. It is a waste of time to start thinking which type of snake has bitten somebody,” he said.
Nasidi explained that panic and excessive movement after a snakebite often worsen outcomes, as venom circulates faster through the body when victims move excessively.
“When somebody realises a snake has bitten them and panics, they begin to do things they are not supposed to do, which facilitates quick circulation of the venom. The more you move, the more the venom circulates in the body,” he said.
He warned against common but dangerous practices such as tying the affected limb, noting that this can worsen envenomation, particularly with snakes like the carpet viper.
“The first thing to do is minimise panic, immobilise the bitten area, minimise movement, and get the person to a medical facility. Tying the limb can actually worsen the condition,” Nasidi said.
On prevention, the former NCDC boss said environmental hygiene and public awareness are critical, especially in areas prone to snake habitation.
“Snakes are ambush predators. If you allow bushes around your house, snakes will come because that is where their food—rodents and lizards—are found. Health education is crucial so people know what to do if they encounter a snake,” he said.
Nasidi rejected the idea of keeping antivenom at home, explaining that antivenom must only be administered by trained medical professionals due to the risk of severe allergic reactions.
“Anti-venoms are not easily administered by anybody. If handled wrongly, they can cause anaphylaxis, and people can die not from snake venom, but from reaction to the anti-venom,” he warned.
He disclosed that Nigeria once led Africa in snakebite response, developing one of the world’s most effective antivenoms through collaborations with UK institutions, including Oxford University and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
“We developed a highly effective antivenom against the carpet viper, puff adder and black-necked spitting cobra. We reduced snakebite fatality rates from about 20–40 percent to less than one percent in treatment centres,” Nasidi said.
However, he raised serious concerns about shortages and the circulation of fake antivenoms in the country.
“Unfortunately, side by side with effective antivenoms, we now have fake antivenoms circulating that do not work. Even when administered, they do not protect the patient,” he said.
Referring to the Abuja case, Nasidi noted that although antivenom was reportedly administered, the patient did not respond, suggesting the possibility of ineffective medication.
“With effective antivenom available, nobody should actually die from snakebite again in Nigeria. But we have serious deficits in supply,” he said.
Nasidi added that Nigeria still produces and imports validated antivenoms, including the EchiTab antivenom, but stressed the urgent need for improved distribution, regulation, and emergency preparedness.
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
