The importance of snakebite antivenom production in South Africa is currently in the spotlight, as work to upgrade the production facilities at South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) is delaying the production of these precious doses. The upgrade aims to address recurring breakdowns due to ageing equipment and inadequate infrastructure, as highlighted by the National Health Laboratory Service in an official statement.
According to the African Snakebite Institution, more than 4,000 people are bitten by snakes each year in South Africa, but only a quarter of them are hospitalised. And of those, only 10% require treatment with antivenom. Despite these alarming figures, it appears that the country has enough snake venom for immunisation, as confirmed by various sources, including Jason Seale, director of the Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park.
Snakebites are most common in the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga regions, with 24 to 34 people bitten per year per 100 000 people. The North West province also experiences high numbers of bites. SAIMR polyvalent, produced by South African Vaccine Producers, is the most commonly used antivenom in South Africa. However, Panaf Premium, approved by the World Health Organisation and used at Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park, offers a more comprehensive solution, being effective against the venoms of 24 snake species, compared to only 10 for SAIMR polyvalent.
Panaf Premium comes in freeze-dried form, giving it a shelf life of four years without the need for refrigerated storage. Despite costing more per vial than SAIMR polyvalent, patients typically require twice the number of vials of Panaf for effective treatment. However, the latter has the advantage of not causing anaphylaxis, unlike SAIMR polyvalent, which can trigger allergic reactions in about four in ten patients, requiring urgent medical intervention.
According to the African Snakebite Institute, about nine in ten patients hospitalized for snakebite do not require antivenom, due to the low level of envenomation. This data highlights the importance of having access to suitable antivenom for effective treatment of snakebites, and the interruption of production at SAVP underlines the urgency of addressing the challenges related to the supply of antivenom in South Africa.
The National Health Laboratory Service has refrained from providing information on the resumption of production of the antivenom, leaving doubts about the future availability of these life-saving antidotes in the event of snakebiteThe need to ensure a regular and reliable supply of antivenom should remain a priority for South African health authorities in order to save lives and protect the population from the dangers of snakebites.