Snakebite envenoming: a strategy for prevention and control

Abstract

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease affecting 5.8 billion people worldwide and is responsible for an estimated 81,000–138,000 deaths annually. The World Health Organization has developed a comprehensive strategy to reduce mortality and disability from snakebite envenoming by 50% before 2030. This document describes a four-pronged strategy for action in countries supported by regional collaboration. The strategy’s aims are: 1) to empower and engage communities to prevent snakebite envenoming and increase the use of treatment through education, training, and facilitation; 2) to ensure safe, effective treatment by building a stable, sustainable market for safe, effective antivenoms at reasonable cost and assured access to treatment; 3) to strengthen health systems to integrate prevention, treatment, and management of snakebite envenoming into national health systems, national health plans, and policy frameworks; and 4) to increase partnerships, coordination, and resources through the mobilization of a global coalition to drive change, generate investment, implement projects, and accelerate research. The strategy is designed to be implemented in three phases: a pilot phase (2019–2020), a scale-up phase (2021–2024), and a full roll-out phase (2025–2030). – AI-generated abstract.