title: Snake-bites: appraisal of the global situation.
abstract: The true global incidence of envenomations and their severity remain largely misunderstood, except for a few countries where these accidents are rare or are correctly reported. Nevertheless, this information is essential for drawing up guidelines for dealing with snake-bites, to plan drug supplies, particularly antivenin, and to train medical staff on snake-bite treatments. Since the comprehensive review by Swaroop & Grab in 1954 no global survey has been carried out on snake-bite epidemiology. The present article is an attempt to draw the attention of health authorities to snake envenomations and urges them to prepare therapeutic protocols adapted to their needs.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherches sur les Meningites et les Schistosomiases, Niamey, Niger.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chippaux
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002489:Central America / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology