By Canadian Press

UN health agency issues 1st strategy to address snake bites

May 23, 2019 | 10:18 AM

LONDON — The World Health Organization is publishing its first-ever global strategy to tackle the problem of snake bites, aiming to halve the number of people killed and disabled by snakes by 2030.

Nearly 3 million people are bitten by potentially poisonous snakes every year, resulting in as many as 138,000 deaths. Last week, Britain’s Wellcome Trust announced an 80 million-pound ($100 million) program to address the problem, saying there were new potential drugs that could be tested.

In a statement, Doctors Without Borders said it was “cautiously optimistic” WHO’s snakebite strategy could be a “turning point” in addressing snake bites.

The agency called the problem of snake bites “a hidden epidemic” and said most bites are treatable.

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WHO’s strategy includes plans to increase global access to treatment and antivenom.

The Associated Press