MBABANE: One of any of the seven common types of snakes is likely to bite your ankle if you walk in the grass, especially in the dark at night. Due to climate change, snakes are an increasing reality for the average person. Since September, a snake has killed one person while another 505 people were bitten but survived in the wake of the snake surge season.
Climate change and rising summer temperatures are driving snakes to the surface, creating a huge problem nationally.
“Since the start of Summer in September, we received over 400 calls from people after they found snakes around their homes. Up to now we have been able to catch 275 snakes,” says Zakhele Hlophe of the Eswatini Anti Venom Foundation. The network founded by environmentalist Thea Litcka in the Lowveld, has become the go-to institution for both snake serum and snatching the reptiles before they harm people.
Hlope said the most dangerous common snakes with the highest potential to kill people are the mamba and phemphetfwane (rinkhas).
Low public awareness of the urgent first aid measures a person needs to survive snakebites is a serious problem.
“We have 7 common venomous snakes in Eswatini. These are Bululu (puff adder), Ndlondlo (Boomslang), Mfeti (Spitting Cobra), Phemphetfwane (Rinkhals), Inhlangwane (Night Adder, Nunkhu (Vine Snake) and Mamba.
The mamba which is common in the middle and low veld and Phemphetfwane (Rinkhals) which is common in the high veld are the biggest problem because their venom affects people differently from other snakes.”
“What is critical is that people should be familiar with the most common snake types in their environment so that they are able to identify the snake that bit them and be able to take the appropriate emergency measures.”
“When you are sure you have been bitten by either of the Mamba or Phempetfwane, immediately apply a tourniquet above the point of the snakebite to prevent the venom spreading through the body. This is a specific response to snakebites by mamba or phemphetfwane.”
“However, should you suffer snakebite by any of the other 5 snake types, never make the mistake of tying a torniquet. It is better to let the venom run through the body until medical help is found because restricting the poison in one place might lead to eventual amputation of the affected limb.”
Hlophe who was interviewed on Eswatini radio advised people to clear their gardens of debris that might provide hiding places for snakes, and to make sure to close doors before dusk to prevent snakes crawling inside houses.
According to Dr. Mdumiseni Dlamini, a climate change expert at the University of Eswatini, progressive destruction of their normal habits is forcing snakes to stray increasingly into areas inhabited by people while warming climate is pushing snakes that would normally be found in the hotter climates of the lowveld further westward onto what is normally cool highveld.
Jm/today/12.11.2024
