By Yien Gattuor
At least 80 cases of snakebites have been recorded in Greater Parieng of Ruweng administrative areas in the past four months, the local ministry of health reported on Tuesday
The minister of health, Achol Bol told The City Review on Tuesday that the 80 cases were reported between July and November, and is continuing from the area of Ruweng.
The 80 victims, she said, were treated and discharged from different health facilities in greater Parieng.
“No deaths were reported at the hospital among the 80 snakebite cases and in the villages. They were just injuries,” she said.
Bol said most of the victims were farmers working in the gardens and those who were displaced by the current floods in Greater Parieng in the last four months.
Last week, authorities reported that at least five cases of snake bites were recorded in Adok and Yang Payams of Leer County, Unity State in the past two months.
The County Commissioner, Stephen Taker Riek, said the five cases of snake bites were registered in September and October, respectively.
“The incidences of snake bites were made on Thursday. After the last rain of this week (last week) on October 26, floods forced the residents of many villages in Leer County to high lands from lower ground,” he explained. “Snakes also moved away from the water to higher ground where people are and that is why cases of snake bites have increased.”
Riek said the victims were referred to Leer Hospital for treatment, citing the lack of antivenoms as the main challenge in all the health centres across the County addressing the cases.
“Among the five snake bite cases, no death has been reported at the hospital, and in the villages. They were just injuries,” he said.
“Most of the cases were among farmers who went to their gardens and those who were displaced by the current floods in the villages.”
He hailed the NGOs operating in the area for supporting the community during this flood time.
On his part, Gai Tut, a resident of Leer Town, said most of the snake bite victims are elderly people and children.
“I am appealing to health partners to continue supporting the County Health Department (CHD) with antivenoms to support the community,” he stated.
Cases of snake bites have been on the rise in South Sudan lately, as torrential rains push the reptiles to safer, higher ground, also occupied by humans.
In the town of Walgak in Akobo County, Jonglei State, at least 33 patients have suffered from the attacks, and four others died since October.
Puok Nyang Tutjiek, the county commissioner says the rise in the cases of the attacks by venomous snakes was exacerbated by floods. On the other hand, a lack of proper healthcare services have also led to deaths.