Snakebite envenoming is a neglected condition that impacts the lives of millions of mainly poor people. It is estimated that 81–000–137 000 deaths occur each year, with around three times as many amputations and permanent disabilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocated for global action for almost a decade until the condition was added to the portfolio of neglected tropical diseases in 2017 (WHA71.5).
As part of its 2019–2030 global strategy for the prevention and control of snakebite envenoming and as a result of collaboration between the WHO departments of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Data and Analytics, a new Snakebite Envenoming Data and Information Platform has been created.
To widely disseminate the features of this new platform, WHO will launch the first set of tools on 15 September 2021. This will include updated range maps comprising all medically important venomous snakes, which visitors to the website can access along with photos, added content and other relevant information supported by an integrated antivenom products database.
This new resource sets the foundation for developing specific activities and programmes associated with WHO’s global strategy for prevention and control of snakebite envenoming. WHO will make this platform available as a central space for collaboration, data-sharing and access to information on snakes and snakebite for Member States, the scientific community, industry, other stakeholders and the general public.
