WHO and Partners Launch Anti-Venom Production Initiative in Kenya as Snakebite Poisoning is Designated a Neglected Tropical Disease

By: Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter

WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2024 - Snakebite poisoning, newly designated as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), is getting renewed attention and resources in Kenya through a new partnership focused on local anti-venom production and research initiatives.  

The African Snakebite Alliance (ASA) was launched on March 13th by Kenya's Ministry of Health and the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE), aiming to reduce deaths and disabilities from venomous snake bites across the continent.

"One challenge is we rely mostly on imported anti-venom which is often ineffective for our region's snake species," said KIPRE Director General Gichuhi Mwethera. "We can make a difference developing locally-produced, more effective anti-venoms using regional venom samples."

The global anti-venom shortage and lack of high-quality research prompted the WHO's "neglected" disease designation for snakebite poisoning, underscoring its severe health burden.  

ASA will collaborate with top snakebite experts from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Wellcome Trust, University of Global Health Equity and institutions in Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya and Eswatini.

"This initiative will strengthen the scientific community by linking policymakers and community groups, aiming to improve health outcomes for snakebite victims and address evidence gaps," said LSTM co-director Ymkje Stienstra.

The alliance aligns with the WHO's goal of halving snakebite deaths and disabilities globally by 2030 through increased access to anti-venom and other interventions.

"Snakebite is a public health matter. Addressing neglected tropical diseases comprehensively would have impactful outcomes toward the WHO 2030 roadmap," said Kenya's Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki.

She emphasized ASA's prioritization of translating research into actionable solutions, while overcoming barriers to affordable, quality anti-venom that disproportionately impact rural communities in Africa and other tropical regions.

The new partnership signals Africa's growing prioritization of an ancient scourge, deploying collaborative efforts and indigenous research capacity to curb a neglected tropical disease robbing thousands of lives and livelihoods annually.

Source: The Standard News, Kenya.

Learn more about Neglected Tropical Diseases from the WHO and DNDi

Published: March 20, 2024

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