Skip to main content
TONJ - 12 Sep 2017

Snake bite cases on the rise in Tonj, citizens urged to be vigilant

File photo: A boy with an amputated leg due to lack of access to care after being bitten by a snake, on the banks of the Pibor River in Jonglei State. ©Cédric Gerbehaye/Agence Vu
File photo: A boy with an amputated leg due to lack of access to care after being bitten by a snake, on the banks of the Pibor River in Jonglei State. ©Cédric Gerbehaye/Agence Vu

About five people were hospitalised at Tonj State Hospital after they were bitten by snakes in the last four months, prompting health officials to caution citizens to be vigilant.

Dr. David Stephen, a medical practitioner at the hospital told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that the cases were recorded between May and August and they were successfully treated.

“We don’t have medicines to prevent snake bite, so the only thing is for everyone to look for gumboots in order to protect himself from snake bite at night especially those who work in the bush and in the farms and even at homes because there is grass all over here in Tonj,” Stephen said.

“At night take torch so that you ensure no snake bites you because you have light and you have gumboot shall have prevented yourself from snake and other things,” he added.

Stephen called on citizens to quickly take victims of snake bites to the hospital for proper administration of medicines by trained personnel.

He also warned the citizens against seeking help from traditional healers who may not be able to handle the cases and may cause avoidable deaths.