International, multidisciplinary conference about the medical and social impact of snakebites.
Naturalis and Leiden University organise a 2-day international conference 'Snakebite: from science to society', to ask attention for a devastating, neglected tropical disease and ignite international action on snakebite prevention and treatment. By bringing together science, government, industry and societal & humanitarian aid organisations, we want to take the first steps in developing solutions for the issues concerning snakebites in the tropics.
What's the problem?
Every year, more than 125,000 people die as a result of a venomous snakebite. The number of people who suffer serious permanent injury or disabilty is another two to three times higher. That's over 450,000 new victims per year. And not only the victims are affected by snakebites, it also influences the family, community and local economy around the victims.
Globally, the greatest burden is experienced in the poor African and Asian countryside. Due to lack of infrastructure and lack of effective, affordable and safe antivenom (serum), many hundreds of thousands of victims go untreated. Accurate data on the medical and socio-economic consequences of snakebites are missing, necessary for the establishment of effective health care. In addition, most of the governments and international health organizations do not have snakebites - in contrast to Ebola, Malaria HIV and Tuberculosis - on their agenda as public health challenge.
More information about the conference can be found on the snake bite website.
