Interim report on snakebite incidence and case fatality rates in sub-Saharan Africa

The aim of the WHO strategy for the prevention and control of snakebite  envenoming is to reduce snakebite-related  mortality and disability by 50% before the  end of the decade. Resolution WHA71.5  adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2018 urges Member States “to assess the  burden of snakebite and, where necessary, establish and/or strengthen surveillance”.  This can be achieved only if countries and  WHO commit themselves to routine collection of relevant data from both  health systems and communities.

This report provides preliminary data for 2020 from the health systems of 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa that were obtained with a standardized data collection module for snakebite envenoming developed for the WHO integrated data platform (WIDP).This module receives data from ministries of health which represents health system data at national, regional, and district level, providing a snapshot of snakebite surveillance in those health systems. The WIDP data collection module provides insights for improving the quality of the data and identifying and resolving any reporting gaps. It is a useful tool for countries to integrate snakebite envenoming into national health plans and policies.