Patients and healthcare staff were terrified after a snake slithered out of the ceiling in the Botshabelo Hospital Monday morning, especially with the current shortage of antivenom to treat snake bites. 

In a voice clip doing the rounds on social media, one of the residents mentioned he quickly had to go to the hospital to kill the snake that might cause harm to patients, while nurses are also very fearful. 

OFM News recently received another report of a snake which was eventually captured after it was seen outside the National Hospital in Bloemfontein.

The South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) recently released a statement on the shortage of antivenom to treat snake bites. According to the Chief Executive of the African Snakebite Institute, Johan Marais, the SAVP has been experiencing severe production challenges during the past eight months due to load-shedding and a shortage of drugs that must be imported. Marais expressed concerns over the livelihood of people and animals which are threatened by these shortages.

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“The big problem is the polyvalent antidote. It’s the common one you use for most snake bites – mamba, cobra, puff adder – so that’s the big problem. For hospitals, there are still small quantities available on demand for emergencies, but vets at this stage get virtually no antidote,” she said.

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Earlier this year, Employees of the Mangaung Metro Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Directorate were given tips on what to do when they encounter snakes in manholes or valves. 

As the winter approaches, snakes can be discovered in manholes or valves as they prepare for hibernation. The African Snake Bite Institute reports an increase in snake bites, especially during the summer months between January and April. 

Venomous snakes in the Free State include, among others, the puff adder, Cape cobra, and rinkhals. Snake catcher and expert Theunis Victor advised people to stand still or move slowly backwards while keeping their eyes on the snake and looking for characteristic features to identify it later.

OFM News