A medical clinician has warned that running or engaging in strenuous movement after a snakebite can significantly increase the risk of death, calling for a major overhaul of public health information and emergency response education.
The clinician explained that physical exertion after a snakebite accelerates blood circulation, which can cause venom to spread more rapidly through the body, worsening the effects and reducing the chances of survival. According to the expert, many deaths linked to snakebites are not only due to the venom itself but also to misinformation and harmful first-response practices.
He noted that in many communities, victims are often advised to run to seek help, apply tight tourniquets, cut the bite area, or resort to traditional remedies. These actions, he said, are medically dangerous and often complicate treatment by increasing tissue damage, infection risk, and venom absorption.
The clinician emphasized that the correct response to a snakebite is to keep the victim calm and still, immobilize the affected limb, and seek immediate medical care where antivenom can be administered. He stressed that panic and physical activity are major contributors to fatal outcomes.
He further criticized the current public health information landscape, describing it as fragmented and outdated. According to him, there is an urgent need for coordinated, accurate, and culturally appropriate health education, especially in rural and farming communities where snakebites are more common.
The clinician called on government health authorities, emergency services, schools, and community leaders to prioritize public awareness campaigns focused on snakebite prevention and proper first aid. He also advocated for improved access to antivenom and trained healthcare personnel in high-risk areas.
Public health advocates have echoed the call, noting that snakebite envenomation remains a serious but preventable health threat. They argue that with correct information, timely medical intervention, and improved healthcare infrastructure, many snakebite-related deaths and disabilities could be avoided.
The warning has reignited discussions about the importance of accurate health communication, with experts urging authorities to replace myths with evidence-based guidance that can save lives.