Over 2,000 bitten by snakes, 9 deaths recorded – govt
By Auther Chimbgwa
Over 2,000 people have been bitten by snakes in the country since January, with nine of the incidents leading to deaths, the Health and Child Care Ministry has said.
“The cumulative figures are 2,193 cases and nine deaths,” the health ministry said on its X handle.
According to the ministry, there were 167 snake bite cases and no deaths recorded in the country in the week ending 6 April 2025.
Zimbabwe has 81 snake species, 48 of which are highly poisonous. The black mamba, snouted cobra, puff adder, boomslang and gaboon viper, inter alia, are considered particularly dangerous.
Researchers say the biggest killer are puff adders which are responsible for up to 90 percent of death cases.
Agricultural workers, herders, fishermen and those living in rural areas on poorly built houses are at higher risk.
Anti-venom is essential for treating venomous snake bites, but it can be in short supply due to import challenges.
Snake bites season runs from September to March. Snakes hibernate between April and August.
Some snakes are non-venomous like the Brown House Snake which may cause panic in bite victims with symptoms of shock-like sweating, dizziness which may in fact be the result of panicking and not of snake venom as this snake is harmless to people.
One vial or dose costs between US$80 to US$150 or more depending on the quality and manufacturer. The majority cannot afford to pay for the doses.
Snake bites kill approximately 32,000 people in Africa and leave an estimated 435,000 to 580,000 victims annually that need treatment.
Zimbabwe, just like many other developing countries, is grappling with the snake bite menace and an acute shortage of anti-venoms.
Between 81,410 to 137,880 people die each year as a result of snake bites and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities are caused by snake bites annually.
Health experts indicate that bites by venomous snakes can cause paralysis that may prevent breathing, bleeding disorders that can lead to a fatal haemorrhage, irreversible kidney failure and tissue damage that can cause permanent disability and limp amputation.
Agricultural workers and children are most affected. Children, more often than not, suffer more severe effects than adults owing to their small body mass, according to World Health Organisation.
