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Clinical Toxinology in Australia, Europe, and Americas pp 51–72Cite as

Snakebite Envenoming in Latin America and the Caribbean

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Part of the book series: Toxinology ((TOXI))

Abstract

Envenomings induced by snakebites constitute a serious public health problem in Latin America. This condition affects predominantly vulnerable rural populations and has a high impact in regions where the provision of health services is deficient. Most envenomings are provoked by species of the genera Bothrops and Crotalus, classified in the family Viperidae, whereas about 1% of cases are due to Micrurus species (family Elapidae). There are laboratories in several countries in the region which manufacture antivenoms. Scientific and biotechnological research has generated a significant body of knowledge on snakes and their venoms and on antivenoms. Despite important advances in the control of these envenomings in Latin America, it is necessary to strengthen regional efforts in order to (a) improve the knowledge on snakes and their venoms; (b) acquire information on the incidence and mortality of snakebite envenomings; (c) increase the volume of antivenom produced and, in some cases, the quality of antivenoms; (d) improve the regulatory work of national quality control laboratories; (e) develop knowledge-based strategies of distribution of antivenoms; (f) consolidate continuous education programs for the health staff in charge of the treatment of these envenomings; (g) ensure support to people that suffer physical or psychological sequelae as a consequence of these envenomings; and (h) strengthen community programs aimed at improving the prevention and adequate management of snakebites. The development of inter-programmatic and inter-sectorial projects in this field should be promoted in the region, involving multiple actors and institutions, within a frame of regional cooperation programs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Microbiología, Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica

    José María Gutiérrez

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  1. José María Gutiérrez
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Correspondence to José María Gutiérrez .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and Department of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

    Carl-Wilhelm Vogel

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine New Mexico School of Medicine, New Mexico Poison Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

    Steven A. Seifert

  3. Laboratory of Immunochemistry, Division of Development and Innovation Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Denise V. Tambourgi

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Gutiérrez, J.M. (2018). Snakebite Envenoming in Latin America and the Caribbean. In: Vogel, CW., Seifert, S., Tambourgi, D. (eds) Clinical Toxinology in Australia, Europe, and Americas. Toxinology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7438-3_14

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