Factsheet: Its snake season! Here is how to protect yourself from snake bites

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has said at least 14 people have lost their lives due to snake bites in Zimbabwe since the beginning of the year. The current snake season, which runs from September to March, sees a heightened risk as snakes become more active after hibernating from April to August.

In a Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending September 15, 2024 the Ministry indicated that there has been a total of 2,917 reported snake bite cases this year marking a significant increase compared to last year when 707 cases were recorded.

Are all snakes venomous?

Snakes are both venomous and non-venomous. Venom is a poisonous substance that a snake makes to help it capture prey, protect itself and digest food. If a snake is venomous, it injects venom through its teeth (fangs) into whatever it bites.

What is the difference between poison and venom?

Poison is a toxic substance that enters your body through inhalation, absorption or swallowing. Venom is a poisonous toxin that enters your body through injection.

Types of snake bites

Dry bites: These occur when a snake does not release any venom with its bite.

Venomous bites: These are dangerous and often life-threatening. They occur when a snake injects venom into your body during a bite.

What are the symptoms of a snake bite?

A non-venomous snake can cause:

Mild swelling.
Colour changes to your skin (redness or a darker colour than your natural skin tone).
Bleeding at the site of the bite.

Symptoms of a venomous snake bite include:

Puncture wounds from the bite mark on your skin.
Pain (sharp, throbbing, burning) at the site of the bite or throughout your limb or area of your body that has a bite. Not all venomous snake bites cause pain.
Colour changes to your skin.
Sweating and/or drooling.
Nausea and vomiting.
Headache, dizziness and blurred vision.
A metallic taste in your mouth.
Severe symptoms of a venomous snake bite include:
Bleeding that doesn’t stop (abnormal blood clotting).
Low blood pressure, a faster heart rate and a weaker pulse.
Difficulty breathing.
Muscle weakness or twitching and numbness in your face and/or limbs.
Severe swelling.

Can a snake bite you more than once?

Yes, if a snake is trying to defend itself, it may bite you more than once.

How is a non-venomous snake bite treated?

Treatment for a nonvenomous snake bite is proper wound care. This includes:
Cleaning the bite with soap and water.
Covering it with a bandage.
Monitoring the area and letting your healthcare provider know if you have signs of infection like swelling, pus or pain.

How is a venomous snake bite treated?

Treatment for a venomous snake bite is antivenom (antivenin). Antivenom is a type of antibody therapy that reduces the effects of venom in your body. You may receive the antivenom as an injection or through an IV a needle in your arm) so that it can take action as quickly as possible.

Knowing the size, colour and shape of the snake can help your doctor determine which antivenom is best for your situation. There are antivenoms that treat bites from a specific type of snake (monospecific antivenoms) and those that treat bites from a number of snakes found in a particular geographic region (polyspecific antivenoms).

If the bite caused a larger-than-normal loss of blood, a blood transfusion may be necessary. If your blood pressure dips below a certain level, you may need IV fluids (through a needle in the arm).

Since antivenom has potential side effects, you’ll also need to be monitored in a hospital.

How to make your yard less attractive to snakes

Regularly trimming bushes, mowing your lawn, racking up dead leaves, and clearing brush piles. If you have an outdoor woodpile, you should also consider storing it on a platform up off the ground to deter snakes from finding a cozy spot inside.
You may also want to get rid of any water features like fountains and bird baths as these provide snakes with a water source (an important part of their preferred habitat).
You can try to limit the mice in your yard by securing your garbage

Know where they are most likely hiding

When they aren’t basking in the sun, snakes typically like to spend their time in cozy and covered places like in tall grass, under sheds, in brush and woodpiles, under coiled hoses, and inside containers or tire swings.