Snakebite in the Hills and Mountains of Nepal

Abstract

Snakebite is an important public health issue around the world. In Nepal, it affects a huge number of people mostly belonging to low-income households who are involved in agriculture. Although snakebite has a serious impact on the Terai population, a few studies suggest that snakebite also occurs frequently in hills and mountains. In the absence of sufficient studies related to snakebites in these geographical regions, it is tough to sketch a true picture and estimate the magnitude of snakebites in those areas. Because of this, the healthcare system is probably not prepared enough to handle the victims of snakebites. This demands a proper study of the burden of the issue in these regions and appropriate initiatives for addressing it.

Identification of Risk Areas for Gloydius Snakebites in South Korea

“…Some venomous snakes tend to ambush from rock crevices, tree roots, or low shrubs, resulting in unexpected snakebite incidents, particularly in mountainous terrain with various landscape features [ 5 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In dense forests, the transportation of snakebite victims to medical facilities is not only difficult due to the complex terrain, but also challenging because of insufficient emergency resources for handling venomous snakebite accidents in the vicinity [ 16 , 17 ]. Therefore, strategies for assessing the risk of venomous snakebite accidents in forests and hiking trails, which can lead to more fatal outcomes, are needed.…”