Why snake bites are on the increase

In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 7,000 to 8,000 people are bit by venomous snakes each year and about five of those people die.

In the Nigerian context, lately 125 people were reported to have been bitten by snakes in Plateau State. That is only the number that was highlighted, think of the numerous cases that have not been reported.

Dr. Joann Schulte, an epidemiologist with the North Texas Poison Control Center, said that “over the past few years, the numbers [of snake bites] have been rising by maybe 100 to 200 a year.”

“The numbers are going up in most states gradually,” said Schulte, “simply because as we have more global warming the snakes can do better further north.” Generally, snakes are known to inhabit the lower 48 states. A typical hotspot for a number of venomous and non-venomous snakes is the Southeast, especially Florida, said Schulte, yet snake bites have recently begun to rise in Georgia and North Carolina.

Deadly rattlesnakes are concentrated in Texas and the West, but a gradual migration further north appears to be taking place, said Schulte.

Population density and human activity plays a role in the number of snake bites, said Schulte.

Increasing urbanization, with people moving into housing developments built in formerly remote regions with creeks and forests, contributes to rising numbers.

“Some of the factors that can make it a worse snake bite season in one state compared to another is if there’s flooding.

The high rate of flooding in Nigeria has made many natural habitats of reptiles to be destroyed therefore, they migrate into people’s homes looking for shelter.

Snakes get displaced,” said Schulte. “Like anybody else, they don’t want to drown, so they go to higher ground.”

Indiscriminate wildfires been set on their natural habitat can also be a factor.

The watch word is ‘be careful’.