Snake Bites in Africa: All You Need to Know

By: Elizabeth Obigwe, B.Sc. Anatomy. Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA Team.

March 2, 2026

Image of a snake in its natural habitat, captioned: "Snake bites in Africa: All you need to know". Click on image to enlarge.

 

Highlights

• Snakes can be venomous or non-venomous, so snake bites may be dry (no venom injected) or envenomated.

• All snake bites should be treated as medical emergencies until your doctor proves otherwise.

• Africa accounts for more than 20% of all reported snakebite cases worldwide.

• Time is of the essence in the management of snake bites, as delay may result in complications or death if the bite is envenomated.

• The main treatment for snakebite is the administration of antivenom.

 

Introduction

Imagine you are relaxing at home one evening when you suddenly hear screams outside. You rush out and discover that a snake has just bitten your neighbour. Your heart starts racing. What should you do next?

Moments like this can leave anyone anxious an unsure of the right action to take. But having the right information beforehand can reduce panic and help you respond quickly and correctly, possibly even saving a life instead of making the situation worse.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about snake bites, including:

• What they are
• The common symptoms to watch for
• The correct first aid steps to take after a snake bite
• How to prevent snake bites

 

What Is a Snake Bite?

A snake bite happens when a snake’s teeth (fangs) pierce a person’s skin. 

Sometimes it is just a small wound, especially if the snake is not venomous. But if the snake injects venom, the toxin can spread through the body and affect important functions like blood flow, breathing, or how the nerves and organs work.

 

What is a Venom?  

Venom is a toxin that is actively injected into another organism, usually through a bite or sting, using specialised body parts like fangs or a stinger. For example, snakes inject venom through their fangs.

 

Venomous and Non-venomous Snakes in Africa

There are about 400 snake species in Africa, but most of them are harmless. Only about 100 species are known to cause harm to humans, 30 of which can cause death if neglected. These dangerous species are members of the following families: stiletto snakes (Atractaspididae), colubrids (Colubridae), elapids (Elapidae) and vipers (Viperidae) [4].  Some examples of venomous and non-venomous snakes in Africa are given in Tables 1 and 2 below.

Table 1: Listing of common non-venomous snakes in Africa, with brief descriptions (colours, region &  diet), and their images.

 

Are All Snake Bites Deadly?

No, not all snake bites are deadly. According to the WHO, there are over 3,700 snake species in the world, of which 650 are venomous, but only 250 are known to cause serious illness or death in humans [1].

Table 2: Listing common venomous snakes in Africa, brief descriptions (colours, region, & venom or diet), and their images. Click on image to enlarge.

 

Most snakes are non-venomous. This means that if they bite, it may hurt, but their bite does not inject a toxic substance into the body.

Even among venomous snakes, some bites are “dry bites.” That is, the snake bites but does not inject venom. 

When a snake bites and injects venom, it is called "envenomation", and this is when a snake bite can become dangerous. 

Untreated severe envenoming can be life-threatening, and you may not be able to tell the difference between a dry bite and an envenomed bite. Hence, every snake bite should be treated as a medical emergency until proven otherwise by your healthcare provider.

 

How Common Are Snake Bites in Africa? 

Ai generatedinfo poster of Africa's snakebite crisis. Click on image to enlarge.

 

Globally, about 4.5-5.4 million people are bitten by snakes each year. Out of t hese, around 1.8-2.7 million people develop serious illness, and between 81,000 and 138,000 die from complications [2].

In sub-Saharan Africa alone, nearly 500,000 snakebite envenomings occur every year. These result in about 30,000 deaths and at least as many permanent disabilities, such as limb deformities or amputations. This means that Africa accounts for more than 20% of all reported snakebite cases worldwide [3], showing just how significant the problem is on the continent.

The highest incidence of snakebite in Africa occurs in the West African savannah (grassland) region. These areas provide a suitable habitat for many venomous snakes [4].

 

Who is More at Risk of Snake Bites in Africa?

Info poster illustrating categories of  people at most risk for snakebites in Africa. Click  on image to enlage.

 

Snake bites mainly affect rural communities in tropical countries. People whose daily activities bring them into close contact with fields, bushes, rivers, and forests are at the highest risk [2, 5]. 

• Agricultural workers
• Herders
• Hunter-gatherers
• Fishermen 
• Rural families living in poorly constructed houses. Many of these homes have cracks in walls, thatched roofs, or outdoor toilets, which make it easier for snakes to enter living spaces.
• Men between the ages of 10 and 40 years are more commonly affected, likely because they are more involved in farming, hunting, and other outdoor work.
• Working children are also at risk, especially in communities where children help with fetching wood, farming, or herding. 
• People who practice non-mechanised farming methods or barefoot farming
• Sleeping on the floor also increases exposure to snakes.

Snake bites are more common during the rainy or wetter months. This is because farming activities increase during this time, and it is also the breeding season for many snakes. As a result, human activity and snake activity overlap more frequently [5].

 

Symptoms of Snake Bites

The symptoms of a snake bite vary depending on the type of snake involved. Bites from non-venomous snakes usually produce milder symptoms than bites from venomous snakes. 

Among venomous snakes, the effects can also differ because their venom contains different types of toxins depending on their species. Some toxins affect the blood (haemotoxins), others target the nerves (neurotoxins), and some damage the muscles (myotoxins).

The symptoms of snake bite can be local (limited to the area around the bite) or systemic (spread through the body or affect specific organ systems). Below are some common symptoms of a snake bite [5, 6]:

Local Symptoms at the Bite Site

Info poster illustrating local symptoms of a snake bite. Click on image to enlarge.

• Pain around the bite: often burning, throbbing, or intense immediately after the bite.
• Fang marks: usually two puncture wounds from a venomous snake, or a curved set in non-venomous bites.
• Bleeding from the wound site.
• Swelling: usually begins soon after envenoming, especially in viper bites, and may spread up the affected limb.
• Bruising, blistering, or irreversible death of tissues around the affected area.

General Systemic Symptoms

Info poster illustrating some general systemic symptoms of a snake bite. Click on image to enlarge.

 

• Feeling suddenly hot, with redness of the face or skin (Flushing).
• Difficulty breathing or feeling like you cannot get enough air.
• Feeling your heart beating fast, hard, or irregularly (Palpitation).
• Dizziness.
• Tightness in the chest.
• Sensations like tingling, “pins and needles,” or numbness in the fingers and toes (Acroparaesthesiae).

(The above symptoms are often caused by anxiety or panic after the bite, even if no venom was injected.)

• Heaviness of the eyelids.
• Blurring of vision.
• Producing too much saliva (Hypersalivation).
• Redness of the white part of the eyes (Congested conjunctivae).
• Goosebumps.
• Severe stomach cramps.
• Frequent loose or watery stools (Diarrhoea).
• Fainting or sudden weakness, causing the victim to fall down.
• Headache.
• Feeling like the tongue is swollen, heavy, or difficult to move properly.
• Thirst.
• Sweating.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms of Specific Body Systems

Info poster illustrating body specific symptoms of a snake bite. Click on image to enlarge.

 

Blood-related symptoms (haemotoxic effects):

• Inability of the blood to clot (thicken), leading to bleeding from gums, nose, or wound sites.
• Poor clotting can also result in dark patches on the skin (bruises), bleeding under the skin, or even bleeding inside the body.

Nerve-related symptoms (neurotoxic effects):

• Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
• Weakness of facial muscles
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Respiratory failure due to paralysis of the breathing muscles

Muscle and heart-related symptoms (myotoxic and cardiotoxic effects):

• Muscle pain and stiffness 
• Dark urine, indicating muscle breakdown (myoglobinuria)
• Abnormal blood pressure and heart rhythm

 

Possible Complications of Snake Bites

Time is of the essence in the management of snake bites. If victims are left untreated or not treated early, they may develop complications or even die. Some of these complications are [7,8]:

• Permanent Tissue Damage or Loss of a Limb: Severe bites can destroy skin, muscle, and bone. This may lead to long-lasting wounds, scarring, or even amputation of a finger, hand, foot, or leg.

• Chronic Pain, Swelling, or Weakness at the Bite Site: Some survivors continue to experience pain, numbness, stiffness, or swelling in the affected area for months or years.

• Long-Term Kidney Damage: This may be an indirect damage caused by low blood pressure, small blood clots blocking circulation in the kidney, or an immune system reaction. 

• Long-Lasting Nerve or Brain Damage: Snake venom can affect the nervous system. In severe cases, survivors may develop:
  • Persistent muscle weakness or partial paralysis
  • Movement or coordination problems
  • Brain injury from a lack of oxygen
  • Stroke or bleeding in the brain

• Vision Problems or Blindness: Blindness can occur either from direct venom damage to the eyes or from brain injury caused by stroke or severe oxygen shortage.

• Hormone Problems: Rarely, venom can damage parts of the brain that control hormones, leading to a long-term hormonal imbalance that requires treatment.

• Changes in Automatic Body Functions: Some people experience long-term alterations in heart rate, pupil size, or other automatic body functions controlled by the nervous system.

• Loss or Changes in Smell and Taste: These can persist for a long time.

• Shock: When the venom causes severe blood loss, tissue damage, or allergic reactions, the body may go into shock, a dangerous drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to vital organs.

• Death: Without prompt medical care, serious complications like paralysis, severe bleeding, or organ failure can lead to death.

 

Right Treatment for Snake Bites

Snake bite first aid steps

Info poster illustrating first aid step for snake bite. Click on image to enlarge.

 

1. Reassure the person and stay calm. Panic increases heart rate and helps venom spread faster. 

2. Move the victim and any bystanders away from the snake to avoid further bites.

3. Remove rings, bracelets, anklets, or tight clothing near the bite, as swelling may begin to squeeze them.

4. Keep the person still and place the bitten limb in a comfortable splint to immobilise it. This slows the spread of venom through the lymphatic system and bloodstream.

5. Place the victim lying down with the bite below heart level. This position reduces the circulation of venom and helps keep the bite area less active. However, lay them on their side so that their upper airway is not obstructed by vomit or paralysed tongue muscles.

6. Call an emergency service immediately. If not available, get to a health facility that can administer antivenom and monitor for complications as fast as possible [9].

Medical treatment

The main snake bite treatment for a venomous bite is the administration of antivenom. 

If it is a dry bite, your healthcare provider will focus on managing any local symptoms and caring for the wound to prevent infection.

In addition to questions about your health history and medication use, your doctor may ask you the following questions and examine your symptoms to determine if you have been envenomated.

• Did you see the snake? What did it look like?
• What part of your body was bitten?
• When were you bitten?
• How are you feeling now? [4].

20 Minute Whole Blood Clotting Test

One of the common tests your doctor may use to determine if there is an envenomation is the 20 Minute Whole Blood Clotting Test (20WBCT). Blood is taken from your vein and put in a clean, dry glass bottle or vial and allowed to sit for 20 minutes at room temperature. 

If clots form in the blood after 20 minutes, the result is negative, but if no clot forms and the blood remains liquid, the result is positive. The absence of a clot indicates coagulopathy (clotting failure), one of the symptoms of envenomation for certain snake species [9].

Your healthcare provider may run additional tests to properly establish envenomation and decide on the appropriate antivenom to administer.

Further treatment to manage symptoms and help you recover will also be given as appropriate.  

 

What Not to Do After a Snake Bite

Info poster illustrating what not to do following a snake bite. Click on image to enlarge.

 

1. Do NOT use a tight tourniquet or band, as it can cut off circulation and cause severe tissue damage.

2. Do NOT cut the wound or try to suck out venom. This will increase the risk of infection and bleeding.

3. Do NOT apply harmful substances or remedies like traditional medicines, chemicals, herbs, or crusts, as they may do more harm by delaying proper care.

4. Do NOT wait for symptoms to appear; seek medical help immediately.

5. Do NOT chase or try to kill the snake to avoid risking more bites or wasting time.

 

How to Prevent the Incidence of Snake Bites

1. Do not keep livestock, especially chickens, inside your house because they attract snakes.

2. Sleep on a raised bed instead of directly on the floor.

3, Avoid creating dark hiding places for snakes around your home or farm.

4. Clear away rubbish, wood piles, and building materials from near your house.

5, Keep grass short and remove thick bushes around your home.

6, Cut tree branches so they do not touch your house.

7. Use a flashlight and wear closed shoes when walking outside at night.

8. Do not put your hands into holes, nests, or hidden spaces where snakes may be hiding.

9. Never touch a snake, alive or dead. Some species pretend to be dead as a defence tactic [3]. 

 

Final Words

Snake bites are common in Africa, especially in rural farming communities. Although the severity of snake bites can range from mild to life-threatening, many cases can be successfully treated, particularly when they are managed promptly with appropriate medical care.

The outcome often depends on how quickly the victim receives antivenom treatment. The longer the delay between the bite and proper treatment, the higher the risk of severe complications or death. Such delays may occur due to a lack of transportation, long distances to healthcare facilities, or the absence of trained personnel and essential equipment in primary health centres. In some cases, reliance on unhelpful traditional practices can further postpone effective medical care and worsen the patient’s condition.

For this reason, correct snake bite first aid should be given immediately after a snake bite. Victims should then be taken as quickly as possible to the nearest health facility that is properly equipped to manage snakebite cases.

 

References:

1. Bawaskar HS, Bawaskar PH, Bawaskar PH. The global burden of snake bite envenoming. J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2021;51(1):7-8. doi:10.4997/jrcpe.2021.102. Available from here.

2. World Health Organization. Snakebite. Geneva: WHO; [cited 2026 Feb 18]. Available from here.

3. Chippaux JP, Massougbodji A, Habib AG. The WHO strategy for prevention and control of snakebite envenoming: a sub-Saharan Africa plan. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis. 2019;25:e20190083. doi:10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2019-0083. Available from here.

4. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the prevention and clinical management of snakebite in Africa . Geneva: WHO; [cited 2026 Feb 18]. Available from here.

5. Ralph R, Faiz MA, Sharma SK, Ribeiro I, Chappuis F. Managing snakebite. BMJ. 2022;376:e057926. doi:10.1136/bmj-2020-057926. Available from here.

6. Mehta SR, Sashindran VK. Clinical features and management of snake bite. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002;58(3):247-249. doi:10.1016/S0377-1237(02)80140-X. Available from here.

7. Waiddyanatha S, Silva A, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Long-term effects of snake envenoming. Toxins (Basel). 2019;11(4):193. doi:10.3390/toxins11040193. Available from here.

9. Kinda R, Sidibe S, Zongo D, Millogo T, Delamou A, Kouanda S. Factors associated with complications of snakebite envenomation in health facilities in the Cascades Region of Burkina Faso from 2016 to 2021. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2024;9(11):268. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed9110268. Available from here.

10. World Health Organization. Treatment. Geneva: WHO; [cited 2026 Feb 19]. Available from here.

 

Related:

First Aid for Epilepsy: Essential Life Saving Tips for Africans

How to Save A Life in an Emergency (Tips for Africans)

 

 

Published: March 2, 2026

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