Epidemiological analysis and experience in prevention and treatment of snakebite envenoming in Zunyi of Guizhou Province

Liu Anping; Xue Zhirui; Chen Jianghua; Liu Tongying; Shi Lili; Zhou Dandan; Liu Yi; Duan Haizhen; Yu Anyong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-4237.2025.06.005

Abstract：Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of snakebite envenoming(SBE)in Zunyi,Guizhou Province,and to explore the strategies for its treatment and prevention.Methods A retrospective a-nalysis was conducted on 1,167 cases of SBE patients admitted to the Emergency Department,Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from Mar.2016 to Oct.2023.Data collected included snake species,patient demograph-ics,time of bite and hospital visit,bite location,local symptoms,antivenom administration,blood transfusion require-ments,and treatment outcomes.Results Among the 1,167 SBE patients,the main species responsible for the inju-ries were Agkistrodon(58.61%),unidentified venomous snakes(27.42%)and Agkistrodon acutus(12.94%),while Trimeresurus(0.77%),Naja(0.09%),Ophiophagus Hannah(0.09%),and viper(0.09%)were extreme-ly rare.The age of patients ranged from 1 to 87 years,with an average of 46.2 years.The majority of patients(58.10%)were at the age of 41-70 years.The male-to-female ratio was 1.35∶1.SBE occurred throughout the year,with a peak from June to September.After SBE,985 patients(84.41%)sought medical help within 24 h.Limbs were dominantly attacked during SBE(99.57%),and the main clinical symptoms included pain,swelling and bleeding.Among them,60.24%were treated with Agkistrodon antivenom,and 13.11%with Agkistrodon acutus antivenom.Blood transfusion was required in 14.05%of cases,for whom,77.44%were bitten by snakes of un-known species and 21.34%by Agkistrodon acutus.The proportion of patients who required blood transfusion as an auxiliary treatment was high among those who did not use antivenom.Treatment outcomes were best for Agkistrodon bites(90.35%),followed by Agkistrodon acutus bites(81.46%),with the poorest outcomes in unidentified snake-bites(57.81%).Conclusion The epidemiological characteristics of SBE in Zunyi are revealed:Agkistrodon re-presents the primary envenoming species,and some patients still cannot receive timely medical treatment;clinical treatment mainly involves the application of antivenom;patients with bites from unidentified snake species have the highest demand for blood transfusion.Strengthening public education on SBE prevention and control,rapid identifi-cation of snake species,standardized use of antivenom serum,and improvement of the treatment system at grassroots hospitals are key measures to enhance the effectiveness of SBE prevention and control.