title: [Epidemiology of snake envenomations in northern Cameroon].
abstract: Epidemiological surveys concerning snakebites were carried out in the savannah area of North Cameroon according to two methods. A retrospective survey carried out in 5 hospitals or dispensaries covering a 3- to 8-year period according to locality was followed by a prospective survey in 4 of these health centres lasting 1 or 2 years according to location. These studies involved respectively 1,710 and 359 patients. The annual incidence varied between 50 and 250 envenomations per 100,000 inhabitants according to year and locality. The average annual incidence was close to 200 cases. Echis ocellatus corresponded to 85% of the identified snakebites. Lethality ranged from 0 to 23.9% of the envenomations. It significantly decreased during the prospective study due to the systematic use of antivenoms administered through the venous route (IPSER Africa then FAV Afrique). During the prospective study, we observed that 25% of snakebite victims did not present any symptoms: 71% presented an oedema, 63% a coagulopathy and less than 5% a necrosis. The population at risk involved people aged 15 to 44 years, especially males. Most of the bites had occurred during agricultural activity. In the cotton zone, more than 40% of the envenomations took place during the 3 months of the field preparation and cotton sowing. Elsewhere, the snakebites were spread out over time with a clear increase during the rain season.
authors.affiliation: Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé et Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), B. P. 1 386, Dakar, Sénéga. chippaux@ird.sn
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chippaux
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rage-Andrieux
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Le Mener-Delore
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charrondière
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sagot
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012910:Snake Venoms
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D012910:Snake Venoms