Assessment and treatment of snakebites in the village of Bancoumana, Mali.

A retrospective study was conducted on the epidemiological patterns and treatment of snakebites in the village of Bancoumana, 60 km south-west from Bamako. We analysed a total of 17 cases (8 males and 9 females). The distribution of snakebite cases by gender and by age showed that among subjects aged 5 to 20 years, boys were more exposed than girls (6 vs. 2), whereas, in those of 21 years and above, females were more frequently bitten than males (7 vs. 2) (p = 0, 04). The treatment was mainly based on the use of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, and sometimes of saline, glucose or anti-tetanic serum. Vitamin K was used in 7 cases and no patient was treated specifically. The success of therapy mostly depended on the shortness of delay between the snakebite occurring and patient referral to the health centre, and the low rate of envenomation. All the patients referred the same day they were bitten were cured, whereas three persons referred to the health centre at D3, D7 and D43 after bite died. The surveillance parameters were oedema, bleeding and vomiting.