Citation

Nkwescheu A, Mbasso LC, Pouth FB, Dzudie A, Billong SC, Ngouakam H, Diffo JL, Eyongorock H, Mbacham W. Pan. Afr. Med. J. 2016; 24: 231.

Affiliation

Cameroon Society of Epidemiology, CaSE, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon; Laboratory of Public Health for Research Biotechnologies, Biotechnology Center, UY I, Cameroon.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, African Field Epidemiology Network)

DOI

10.11604/pamj.2016.24.231.7576

PMID

27800086

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies snake bites as neglected public health problem affecting mostly tropical and subtropical countries. In Africa there are an estimated 1 million snake bites annually with about half needing a specific treatment. Women, children and farmers in poor rural communities in developing countries are the most affected. Case management of snake bites are not adequate in many health facilities in developing countries where personnel are not always abreast with the new developments in snake bite management and in addition, quite often the anti-venom serum is lacking. We report the case of a medical doctor bitten by a cobra in the rural area of Poli, Cameroon while asleep in his bedroom. Lack of facilities coupled with poor case management resulted in a fatal outcome.

Language: en