Randfontein’s very own local snake and scorpion expert, Jonathan Leeming recently went to the Eswatini Snakebite Symposium in the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, as one of the organisers and presenters.

The symposium is an annual event organised by the Eswatini Antivenom Foundation, and Jonathan has been a part of the Foundation as a presenter and an organiser for the past four years.

According to Jonathan, the symposium is aimed at medical professionals in Eswatini, and the focus is on training medical staff, developing a national snakebite framework, and developing a network of antivenom banks at key locations in Eswatini.

The challenge of treating snakebite is multifaceted; challenges include snake awareness, transporting patients to medical assistance, training medical professionals on snakebite treatment, and how to use antivenom.”

He added that the foundation provides free antivenom to whoever needs it, and the symposium addresses the medical treatment of snakebites through training medical professionals in Eswatini.

The 2021 symposium was partly funded by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“I decided to go to the symposium because bites and stings from venomous animals affect thousands of people annually in Eswatini – not just the patient, but also the patient’s family. The symposium is an opportunity to focus my understanding and expertise in a way that saves lives and prevents misery and hardship. I cannot think of a better way to spend my time.”

He explained the focus at this year’s symposium was training medical professionals on the subject of treating snakebites, spider bites and scorpion stings, as well as the use of antivenom in a clinical setting.

In March, Eswatini averaged 20 black mamba bites a week, and if these patients didn’t receive antivenom, then survival would be unlikely.”

The Mozambique spitting cobra is also responsible for many snakebites in Eswatini, which could cause permanent disability or the loss of a limb. Antivenom is the only way to treat black mamba and Mozambique spitting cobra bites.

He added that the foundation had been developing a national plan to support snakebite patients, and entails antivenom banks, educating medical professionals, working with local communities, developing a network of people who can remove snakes safely, and a network of specialists who can assist when necessary.

Being part of something that is bigger than myself is a privilege. It also deepens my understanding of bites and stings, which in turn, allows me to make more of an impact and benefit those affected by venomous animals.”

For more information on snakebites, spider bites, scorpion stings and centipede bites, plus the Eswatini National Snakebite Guidelines, click here.