Abstract
BackgroundSnakebites cause considerable death and injury throughout the globe, particularly in tropical regions, and pose an important yet neglected threat to public health. In 2008, the Centre Anti Poison et de Parmacovigilance du Maroc (CAPM) started to set up a specific strategy for the control of snakebites that was formalized in 2012. The aim of the present study is to describe and update the epidemiological characteristics of snakebites notified to CAPM between 2009 and 2013.MethodsThis retrospective five-year study included all cases of snakebites notified to CAPM by mail or phone.ResultsDuring the study period, 873 snakebite cases were reported to CAPM, an average incidence of 2.65 cases per 100,000 inhabitants with 218 cases each year. The highest incidence was found in Tangier-Tetouan region with 357 cases (40.9 %) followed by Souss Massa Draa region with 128 cases (14.6 %). The average age of patients was 26.8 ± 17.2 years. The male to female sex ratio was 1.67:1 and 77 % of cases occurred in rural areas. The bites occurred mainly in spring (44 %) followed by summer (42 %). Snake species was identified in 54 cases (6.2 %): colubrids represented 31 % (n = 18) and vipers 67 % (n = 36), mainly Daboia mauritanica, Bitis arietans and Cerastes cerastes. In 311 cases (35.6 %), the patients showed viper syndrome. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 23.5 % of viper syndrome cases, whereas, compartment syndrome was observed in 7.6 % patients. FAV-Afrique® was administered in 41 patients (5 %). In patients treated with antivenom, 38 patients recovered and three died. Twenty-seven deaths were reported (3.9 %).ConclusionDespite specific efforts to better understand the epidemiology of snakebites in Morocco (incidence, severity, snake species involved), it remains underestimated. Therefore, further work is still necessary to ensure accessibility of appropriate antivenom against venomous species and to improve the management of envenomation in Morocco.
Highlights
Snakebites cause considerable death and injury throughout the globe, in tropical regions, and pose an important yet neglected threat to public health
* Correspondence: chafiqfouad@yahoo.fr 1Centre Anti Poison et de Pharmacovigilance du Maroc, Rabat, Maroc 2Laboratoire de Génétique et Biométrie Faculté des Sciences, Université Ibn Tofail, Kénitra, Maroc Full list of author information is available at the end of the article (Daboia mauritanica, Bitis arietans, Cerastes cerastes, Cerastes vipera, Echis leucogaster, Vipera latastei and Vipera monticola), while the family Elapidae is represented by a single species, Naja haje legionis [2,3,4]
The aim of this study was to describe and update the epidemiological characteristics of snakebite envenomation reported to CAPM between 2009 and 2013
Summary
Snakebites cause considerable death and injury throughout the globe, in tropical regions, and pose an important yet neglected threat to public health. In 2008, the Centre Anti Poison et de Parmacovigilance du Maroc (CAPM) started to set up a specific strategy for the control of snakebites that was formalized in 2012. The aim of the present study is to describe and update the epidemiological characteristics of snakebites notified to CAPM between 2009 and 2013. In Morocco, the incidence of snakebite envenomation is estimated at 0.34 per 100,000 inhabitants and case fatality rate reaches 7.2 % [1]. Regarding the type of envenomation, vipers are responsible for the viper syndrome that associates inflammatory and hemorrhagic disorders. Elapids are responsible for a neurotoxic syndrome characterized by respiratory paralysis [5]. Since 2008, the Centre Anti Poison et de Parmacovigilance du Maroc (CAPM) has been developing a specific strategy for controlling snakebites. The main tasks are: implement a specific snakebite information system for data
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
