Overview

Snakebite envenoming is one of the most neglected diseases and particularly affects people in low- and middle-income countries with tropical climates and rich snake fauna. Worldwide, up to 2.7 million people are envenomed as a result of snakebites each year, causing up to 138,000 deaths per year. Many survivors suffer permanent disabilities that significantly affect their ability to work and can also lead to social exclusion and stigmatisation. Our aim is to contribute to the reduction of snakebite morbidity and mortality by conducting research on the epidemiology, antivenom availability and clinical aspects of snakebites, training medical staff and developing national guidelines for the treatment of snakebites. In addition, we conduct research on the general improvement of clinical care for patients, especially in low-resource settings.