User:Saltrabook/Snakebites, diagnostics, treatment and prevention
Definition[edit | edit source]
A snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds inflicted by the animal's fangs and sometimes resulting in envenomation. Although the majority of snake species are non-venomous and typically kill their prey with constriction rather than venom, venomous snakes can be found on every continent except Antarctica. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snakebite
Epidemiology of snakebites[edit | edit source]
Panama has the greatest incidence of snakebites in Latin America, while El Salvador has the lowest (mostly because B. asper is not found in this country).The total number of snakebites in Central America is estimated to be 4,000 to 5,000, although as in other regions of the world, snakebites are probably underreported. Epidemiology of snakebites Estimated incidence of snakebites in Panama is 80 per 100.000 inhabitants and the lowest incidence in Central America is 0,8 in El Salvador. There might be underreporting in both countries. Gutiérrez 2014
Research needs[edit | edit source]
The incidence of snakebites in Panamá is the highest in the region. For the prevention there are some important research needs as proposed by Gutiérrez 2014 There is a need to know more about the cases: who, where, when and how did it happen? What happended to the victims ? Most of the snakebites are treated (prehospital) in the local health centres and the patient records contain important information, useful for the research
Prevention[edit | edit source]
- Gutiérrez 2014: Challenge 6: To improve the prevention of snakebites in