Faculty

Yvonne Teo Chiang Hoon

Snake-Related Injuries: Emergency Experience in Malaysia

Snake bite is a common and frequently devastating environmental and occupational disease,
especially in rural areas of tropical developing countries. Of the 24 neglected tropical diseases and conditions listed by WHO, snakebite is among the top killers. Annually, an estimated two million venomous bites cause as many as 100,000 deaths worldwide as well as hundreds of thousands of deformities and amputations.

With the clinical guidance provided by the Remote Envenomation Consultancy Services (RECS) in Malaysia, together with Clinical Practice Guidelines on The Management of Snakebite published by Ministry of Health Malaysia and WHO, the appropriate and timely use of anti-snake venom has significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality due to snake envenoming.

In this symposium, we will look into the common venomous snakes encountered by the local population and their clinical manifestations. The challenges and common pitfalls identified in the management of snakebite in Malaysia will be discussed too.

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