The 6th international conference on envenomation by Snakebites and Scorpion Stings in Africa: a crucial step for the management of envenomation

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Jean-Philippe Chippaux, Marc Hermann Akaffou, Bernard Kouadio Allali, Mireille Dosso, Achille Massougbodji, Benedito Barraviera
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2016
• Subjects: Envenomation; Antivenom; Epidemiology; Drug policy; Africa; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40409-016-0062-y; https://doaj.org/article/1fb469ed3a704b9db038cc2ea6a667b4

Abstract During the 6th International Conference on Envenomation by Snakebites and Scorpion Stings in Africa held in Abidjan, from 1 to 5 June 2015, the measures for the management of envenomation were discussed and new recommendations were adopted by the participants. The high incidence and severity of this affliction were confirmed by several studies conducted in African countries. The poor availability of antivenom, particularly because of the cost, was also highlighted. Some experiences have been reported, mainly those regarding the financial support of antivenom in Burkina Faso (more than 90 %) and Togo (up to 60 %) or the mandatory reporting of cases in Cameroon. Key recommendations concerned: improvement of epidemiological information based on case collection; training of health workers in the management of envenomation; policy to promote the use of effective and safe antivenom; and antivenom funding by sharing its costs with stakeholders in order to improve antivenom accessibility for low-income patients.