At least 10 cases of snakebites have been reported in Mayom County, Unity State, after severe flooding displaced residents and animals alike. Torrential rains last week submerged 11 payams, forcing both people and wildlife, including snakes, to higher ground, which led to increased encounters between venomous snakes and residents.
Mayom County Commissioner Luke Chierye Riek told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the county’s health department had confirmed the snakebite cases from various locations over the past month.
“The report was just released. After a week of relentless rain, floods forced many residents to move from lower areas to higher ground, and snakes followed suit. This has caused a surge in snakebite incidents,” Commissioner Chierye explained.
While the victims have been treated at Mayom Hospital, Commissioner Chierye highlighted a significant challenge: the shortage of antivenoms across the county’s health facilities. “Thankfully, there have been no deaths so far. The injuries are mainly among farmers and displaced individuals,” he added.
Kuol Tut Jal, a resident of Mayom Town, said that most snakebite victims are elderly and children. He called on health organizations to step in and supply antivenom treatments to the area.
“We desperately need assistance from health partners to equip the County Health Department with antivenoms to treat those affected,” Jal urged.