Snakebites an Under-Reported but Deadly Problem in Cambodia

n the ponds and rice paddies of the Cambodian countryside, trying to catch frogs can be deadly. Along Cambodia’s rivers, floodlands and lowlands live millions of venomous snakes, 10 species of which can be lethal if you disturb their slumber. Last week, a 13-year-old teenager from Kompong Chhnang province’s Boribor district became the 14th recorded victim of a snakebite this year, local police said—though accurate figures remain hard to come by since many snakebite victims do not seek treatment at hospitals. … According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 100,000 people worldwide die from snakebites every year, although most bites go unreported, particularly in developing countries. “Assessing the true impact [of snake bites] is further complicated by the fact that cases reported to health ministries by clinics and hospitals are often only a small proportion of the actual burden because many victims never reach primary care facilities, and are therefore unreported,” the WHO said on its website. Neang Thy, a herpetologist with the Ministry of Environment who also works for Fauna and Flora International, estimates that nationwide, hundreds of people die each year. …

 Denise Hruby and Sek Odom
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/snakebites-an-under-reported-but-deadly-problem-in-cambodia-47812/