Snakes Bites 85 People in a Community

 

85 persons have been bitten by snakes in Kanke and Kanam council areas of Plateau state as a result of flood in the area. Many have died and some are now in critical conditions in various hospitals and traditional snake treating homes in the state. 

 

About 13 of the victims are at Zamko Clinic in Langtang while 20 are in traditional healers' homes and seven are in herbalists' centres for treatment. 

 

This was revealed by Hon. Timothy Golu, a member of the House of Representative to newsmen yesterday.

 

According to Golu: “Some have even been treated and discharged, but a woman at my place, who has been treated and discharged, still has pus gushing from the bitten spot and we have advised her to return to the hospital for fresh checks. We are worried that something worse may result from the wound if not properly treated because she is already limping.”

 

He described the situation as pitiable, scary and pathetic because his people are suffering. Golu noted that black mamba, carpet viper and cobra were the common ones, saying that the victims now depend on luck to survive.

 

The lawmaker described the situation as very scary and pathetic, saying that the snakes, which move openly and always in pairs, were washed into the communities by flood.

 

He said, “As the flood pushed them from the over- flown tributaries of Rivers Benue and Niger, some snakes climbed trees, others entered holes while some just held onto any available straw and all of them later descended into residences and farms where they have been wrecking havoc.”

 

Golu pleaded with the federal and plateau state governments to come to the aid of the people to tackle this challenge as this could result in serious consequences for his people if not given the right priority.