Benue: SEMA raises alarm over rising snakebite cases among farmers, IDPs

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has raised concerns over the increasing number of snakebite incidents in the state, particularly among farmers, Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and other vulnerable communities.

The agency’s concern comes after two recent snakebite cases involving a 35-year-old man, Isaac Shula, and a 19-year-old girl, Mbapuun Tyoshio, both from Daudu 1 IDP camp in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were said to have suffered the attacks while working on their farms and were subsequently referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi, for medical treatment under the supervision of Benue SEMA.

Speaking on the development, the agency’s Health Focal Person, Dr Amos Dzungwe, disclosed that snakebite incidents were becoming increasingly common across the state.

Dzungwe explained that SEMA had received several appeals for medical assistance from different locations in the state, indicating the growing scale of the problem.

He revealed that two patients who sustained snakebite injuries had recovered and been discharged within the past two weeks, while other victims were still receiving treatment in hospital.

The health official cautioned residents against delaying medical treatment after snakebite incidents, noting that failure to seek prompt medical attention could expose victims to serious complications and worsen their health conditions.

He, therefore, advised anyone bitten by a snake to report immediately to a recognised health facility for proper medical evaluation and treatment.

In a related development, Benue SEMA called on members of the public to ignore what it described as false reports and politically driven accounts concerning snakebite incidents in the state, especially cases involving IDPs.

The agency stressed that emergencies involving public health and the welfare of vulnerable populations should be handled responsibly rather than turned into tools for political interests.