[Epidemiological data on snake bite cases reported in Benin from 1994 to 2000]

Snake bites constitute a frequent occupational injury, mainly occuRring during agricultural activities in Benin as in the majority of tropical countries. The present study was performed within the scope of a periodic epidemiological analysis of occupational injuries over the past 15 years. It is a retrospective study based on the snake bites reported by the Ministry of Public Health from 1994 to 2000. The data collected through the medical centre registers showed that, with a total of 30,273 cases declared during these 7 years, snakebites represent less than 1% of the whole causes of admission. Although the prevalence was weak, the lethality was very high (15%). Envenomations involved more deaths than malaria and acute respiratory infections together. One third of cases occurred in adults and teenagers. Lethality in infants was not negligible. The two departments of northern Benin accounted for 314 of the envenomations. Lethality does not appear to be decreasing. The routine management of cases should be improved by appropriate training for health care workers and the introduction of a therapeutic strategy at every level of the medical system.