The Lancet: Snakebite — emerging from the shadows of neglect
Editorial Board

“…The burden of snakebite death and disability is equal to that of prostate or cervical cancer, and is greater than any other neglected tropical disease. Yet investment into snakebite has been just £30 million between 2008 and 2017, with limited research, stagnating development of treatments, and declining access to antivenoms in many countries. … With its triad of high mortality, marked disability, and substantial psychological morbidity, snakebite warrants major investment in research. … After decades of relative neglect, snakebite is now firmly on the global health agenda. With a strategy and substantial funding now in place, the stage is set. Will all actors play their parts? Testing and then implementing WHO’s strategy requires long-term commitment by governments of countries with a high burden of snakebite envenoming, in addition to further investment by donors. Only then will snakebite victims, who are often the poorest of the poor, have a better chance of survival” (6/1).