Snakebite Prevention
An animated video models snakebite prevention & treatment tips
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes every year with 2.7 million envenomings (poisoning from snakebites). Snakebite envenomings are a global issue, and a particularly prevalent concern in Eswatini where the majority of the population is at high risk of exposure to a venomous snakebite.
The best known cure for a snakebite? Preventing it in the first place.
THE GAP
In Eswatini, most people live in rural areas or work in agriculture, making them more likely to come into contact with the region’s poisonous snakes. Once bitten, the same population is at higher risk of disability or death from poisoning due to the prohibitive cost and shortage of antivenom. Its steep cost, short shelf life, and need for refrigeration make antivenom inaccessible for many patients, prompting the need for alternative care tactics.
It is important to remember that this particular health issue is not the snake’s fault; most will bite only if provoked. Taking certain measures to prevent envenomings can save the lives of both humans and snakes.
OUR APPROACH
We teamed up with the Eswatini Antivenom Foundation (EAF) to create an animated video on snakebite prevention and first-aid treatment tips through the eyes of Dudu and Jabu, two children living in rural Eswatini. The video is meant to be shown in primary and secondary schools to teach children and their families how to prepare for snakebite season, which typically runs from September through May of each year.
DISSEMINATION
The video will be distributed by the Eswatini Antivenom Foundation. It is also available on our YouTube channel and free to use, distribute, and adapt under the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA license.
Watch the Video
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