Snake bite in the Thar Desert

Snake bite remains a common injury in endemic areas of Pakistan. A facility based observational study was undertaken to ascertain the incidence of snake bite, its mortality and the management in public health facilities located in the Thar Desert of Province of Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 771 cases of snake bite were reported to seven randomly selected health facilities during a one-year period. Most (75%) occurred during nighttime in summer, affecting primarily males (70%) who were bitten mostly on the lower extremities (83%). Five hundred and thirteen bites (66%) were identified as poisonous and 4 deaths were reported. Seventy two percent of patients reached the health facility within 24 hours and twenty percent within 6 hours and of being bitten. Snake bite remains an important problem in endemic areas of Pakistan. People do seek assistance at public health facilities, where appropriate treatment including anti snake venom is given.