Dr. Sellahewa mentioned that there are some species in Sri Lanka which are deadly venomous. Spectacled cobra, Common Krait, Hump-nosed viper, Saw Scaled viper, Green pit viper, Russel’s viper are among them. Mostly the farmers in rural areas are bitten by snakes and other venomous species. To save the life of a victim, he or she should be rushed to the hospital. Never cut or suck the affected place and do not apply tourniquets. People can avoid snake bites by carrying a torchn a stick with them when walking during night time or evenings. Also they have to be very careful and should wear foot wears.
“There is a procedure to identify the venom and to treat the patient. Today it is not needed to bring the animal to show the doctors, because there is a method to find out the animal without seeing it. Do not kill snakes and other venomous animals, because they are also a part of the nature. So we should let them live in their own way. But it is very important to establish more effective medicine to save the lives of poor people who are affected”, said Dr. Sellahewa.
The Executive Director of the AVRI , Roy Mallaeppah (Bsc) mentioned that regions such as South Asia, South East Asia and Africa are the most risky parts of the world and yet perfect anti venom treatment is not formed in these parts. The island nation of Sri Lanka, in Southeast Asia, has one of the highest snakebite morbidity and mortality rates in the world. With a population of 20 million, approximately 40,000 people are bitten by snakes every year.
Animal Venom Research International (AVRI) is a non profit public benefit corporation of the USA. The mission of AVRI is to promote the development of more effective prevention and treatment protocols for animal envenomation ( a bite from a venomous animal resulting in toxins being injected into body) by mediating between involved parties, educating medical staff and the public in order to reduce morbidity and morality around the world.
Taking Sri Lanka as the starting point, AVRI’s goal is to reach into areas of the world suffering the worst morbidity and morality rates due to animal envenomation. Currently, anti venoms are the only proven specific treatment for envenomation.
