SLIPPERY SERPENTS

Snake Bite Rescue Rehabilitation and Research Centre Kenya estimates that 300-500 people are admitted every month due to snake bites across the country. But many end up dying or losing their limbs because they cannot access antidotes.

It is estimated that between 15 and 25 people lose their lives every day to snake bites while more than 100 others have their limbs amputated, causing them permanent disability. The situation is especially dire in areas like Kerio Valley, where access to healthcare is a nightmare.

Although, the shortage of the anti venom is not uniquely a Kenyan problem, the government is on the spot for procuring anti-venoms that cannot treat bites by local snakes.

A shortage of antivenin supply across the continent began less than three years ago after the production of one of the continent’s most effective anti venoms was discontinued by its French manufacturers over low-profit claims.

Fav-Afrique, a polyvalent manufactured by French firm Sanofi Pasteur, was once considered one of the most powerful and reliable anti venom drugs and was used to treat bites by more than 10 types of snakes.

The withdrawal of the drug, dealt a massive blow aggravated an already bad situation, to the detriment of hundreds of snakebite victims in Kenya and beyond.

Pharmaceutical companies in South Africa, India, and the Americas are among those marketing cheaper anti venom, some of which are effective in their host nations. But their safety and effectiveness against the large variety of snake species in Africa have not been established in clinical trials, according to experts.

Anti venom is made from the serum of snake venom and is the most effective treatment for snake bites. But the drugs are in short supply in Sub-Saharan Africa, since they are expensive to manufacturing, and limited financial incentive holds the development of new anti venom.

In an effort to overcome the shortage of anti venom, the global community affected by snake bites drew the attention of private foundations, researchers, and the World Health Organisation to this neglected tropical problem.

The World Health Organisation added snakebite envenomation to the list of neglected tropical diseases, a move which experts say will boost funding for, and the treatment and control of, snake bites globally.

While the shortage of antivenins is common in most African countries, snakebite treatment in Kenya is faces numerous challenges, among them the procurement of ineffective drugs, lack of statistics to map out the snakebite burden to facilitate the distribution of drugs and a shortage of medical expertise in the area.

With this said i have compiled list of the 9 most poisonous snakes in Kenya citing their appearance and habitat and how it strikes its prey.

Humans are not considered to be a choice of prey for snakes, but these reptiles are responsible for more than 50,000 deaths in the world annually. There are almost 600 species of venomous snakes globally and Kenya inhabits a fraction of these deadly animals.

1. Puff Adder

This is a viper species that packs a deadly poison. Its average size is about one meter but you can find one as long as 1.9 meters. A mature Puff Adder can weigh as much as 6 kg. Puff Adders contributes to a large number of snake bites in Kenya. Due to its venom and long fangs, it is feared by many who dread its lethal strike. It is also one of the most common snakes a Kenyan is likely to step on one due to its habit of basking in the grasslands, clear pathways or on open field. If provoked, they deliver an aggressive warning by coiling in an S-shaped posture while hissing continuously. It blends in with the color of the surrounding.

Signs that this snake has bitten you include pain at the point of the bite. Swelling follows as the venom starts to impact harmful effects on your body. In some cases, affected patients may end up losing their limbs through amputation. It is mainly considered to be harmless if undisturbed and will retreat to a hiding place at the sight of a human. Other types of viper snakes common in Kenya include the Carpet Viper (echiscarinata) and Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonic).

2. Rhombic Night Adder (Causus rhombeatus)

This is the biggest venomous snake in the viper species. Its body color is mostly a shade of brown with distinct patterns and V-markings on the head. They have slender bodies that can reach up to one meter. Its considered to have a non-lethal venom and bites may lead to pain and swelling on humans. However, the poison is lethal to children and pets.

3. Black-necked Spitting Cobra (Naja nigricollis)

This is another type of venomous snake that you can find in the country. At maturity, it can extend to long as 7 feet. Body markings and color vary from one Cobra specie to another. Another related species is the Red Spitting Cobra. Its principal prey include rodents, birds, lizards, and eggs. Unless provoked, they hardly attack. The exciting thing is that its venom is extracted for medical research and other application. When irritated, they raise their head, spread their distinctive cobra hood and forcibly eject venom toward their target's eye or face. The snake venom, on contact with the skin, can cause irritation, blisters and inflammation. The venom can cause blindness if the victim takes long to wash the eyes. Back in 2007, Kenya was recognized as a home to a record 9ft long giant spitting cobra that had enough venom to kill 15 people.

4. Mount Kenya Bush Viper

This is one of the deadly snakes native to Kenya. This viper snake wears rough scales. One of its distinctive features is the black and yellow shades on the body. Other Mount Kenya bush vipers have green on brown body backgrounds. A bite from this reptile can be extremely painful and result in tissue damage and swelling. In most cases, the venom is not lethal. As the name suggests, the snake is home to forests at Chuka, Igembe in Nyambeni range and the south-eastern Mount Kenya region.

5. Green mamba

Original Green mambas are one of the deadliest green snakes in Kenya that you can be sure to locate. The name stems from the distinct green colored body scales. The belly is in most cases yellow-green. It falls in the class of the most poisonous snakes in Kenya. Green mamba is a less aggressive tree snake and considerably smaller than its Black Mamba cousin. It’s highly poisonous and long in size. Symptoms of its toxic venom include swelling on the bite region, nausea, and dizziness, breathing difficulty, convulsion, and respiratory paralysis. Mature Green Mamba average size is 6 feet. An identified Mamba lived up to 18 years.

6. Black Mamba

Identified by their grey to dark brown scaled body, Black Mamba is also extremely long and venomous. So deadly is the snake that they are regarded as the most venomous species in Africa. Black Mambas possess a set of long venomous fangs and solid teeth in both jaws. Adult snakes can reach an average length of minimum 2.5 meters up to 4.5 meters in length. Their name comes from the dark coloring on their mouth. They are agile and quite powerful. If they feel threatened, they raise their long slender bodies and readily open their mouth in readiness to strike. Its venom is a deadly neurotoxin that can lead to death in case the bitten individual does not get medical intervention. Nonetheless, incidents of attack are rare unless provoked.

7. African rock python

Original African rock python is probably one of the longest snake you can find in Kenya. Its legendary sheer size can make one run for their safety. The Python is non-venomous, but its secret weapon is the ability to constrict its prey. During the day, it can be found basking on rocks or resting in bushes. The snake preys on rabbits, hares, domestic and wild animals. It is among the Largest snakes in Kenya, and it is not uncommon to spot a 9-foot python in Kenya. In some instance, lengths averaging 11 ft.-15 ft has been documented. This makes it one of the six largest snakes in the world. A mature African rock python can weigh between 44 to 55 kg. Most human deaths from the snake are through the constriction. The victim dies of cardiac arrest from crushing after it coils and grabs tight on the subject.

8.Egyptian Cobra

This snake is one of the largest venomous cobra snake species found in Kenya. It associated with the Egyptian queen, ‘Cleopatra’ who died from a venomous bite from the Egyptian cobra. Unlike other Cobra snake species, the Egyptian cobra attacks by striking and does not spit like the black-necked cobra. A Lethal bite leads to pain and consequently death from respiratory failure. They can live up to 30 years and weigh 20 pounds.

9.The Boomslang

Their name, ‘Boomslang,’ means "tree snake" due to their love for the tree as a favorite habitat. Females have a brown body while the males have a green shade. These types of snake have camouflage coloring making then hard to spot. The Boomslang average body length is between 1.2 meters and 1.8 meters. Also, they have large eyes and an oval-shaped head. The snake has a potent hemotoxic venom that causes blood clotting, headaches, nausea, loss of consciousness and in extreme cases internal and external bleeding. Their diet comes from mostly small rodents and birds.

After eye contact from a spitting snake

Snakes like the cobra are notorious for spitting venom to the human face. Initial symptoms on eye contact are inflammation and pain. As a result, permanent blindness occurs. You can reverse the adverse effects by cleaning the face and eyes with lots of clean water immediately after the incident. The venom will not have an adverse impact on skin unless it falls on an open flesh.

After snake bite from a venomous snake You can follow this simple first aid routine after a venomous snake bite especially if the toxin start kicking in. NOTE: Identify the type of snake. If unsure, take note of its appearance. The information is vital as it will determine the type of antivenom to be administered by the doctor.

Procedure to follow as you wait for medical care intervention:

The patient should be taken to a safe place away from the snake.

Have the victim lie down with wound positioned below the heart level.

Have the person rest in a calm state to prevent the venom from spreading.

Cover the wound loosely with a sterile dressing.

Remove the shoes or jewelry if the bite was on the limbs.

Caution, You should never attempt any of the following.

Attempt to cut open the wound or remove the venom.

Try to suck out poison. Use a tourniquet or apply ice or water.

Give the person alcohol or caffeinated drinks as this speeds spread of the venom on the body.

Always: Seek emergency help from a health facility. The doctor will administer anti-venom treatment.

Types of snake venoms are grouped into four categories based on the effect on the human body;

Cytotoxins - effects includes swelling and tissue damage.

Haemorrhagins - alters with the functioning of the blood vessels leading to incoagulable blood. This then leads to internal or external bleeding.

Neurotoxins - triggers neurotoxicity leading to paralysis.

Myotoxins - cause muscle collapse.

The biggest challenge in Kenya is the mismatch in antivenom. Meaning the particular antivenom shot is not designed to act on the specific venom. The correct antivenom is manufactured for each particular species of venomous snake. Poison can only be fought with the serum that is purposely designed to cater to the select snake’s age, geography and season. Most facilities in Kenya stock antivenom sourced from India. Even if India- made antivenom serum (made to respond to Asian snake species) is prescribed to counter cobra venom, it would not be useful on a Kenyan case of cobra snake bite.Traditional healers have been offering solutions to bites caused by venomous snakes in Kenya. The old practice has seen the use of traditional medical therapy to administer herbs that neutralize the poison. More research therefore needs to be done to develop antivenom for snake bites in kenya

Watch the video below on snakes and get more information...ENJOY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8mxdKMGHKs