Togo reports high rates of snake bites and fatalities

Togo is facing a significant public health challenge from snake bites, with reports indicating between 3,000 and 4,000 cases occurring annually. Data presented during a press conference in Lomé revealed that between 2020 and 2025, the country recorded 17,942 snake bite cases, resulting in 268 deaths. During this same five-year period, 27,366 doses of antivenom serum (SAV) were administered to victims.

To improve medical access, particularly for rural populations and farmers, the Togolese government has implemented subsidies for antivenom. The cost of the serum has been reduced from 45,000 FCFA to 15,000 FCFA per dose.

Health officials, including Kokou Wotobé, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, emphasize that snake bites must be treated as medical emergencies. Authorities advise that victims should be taken to the nearest health facility immediately and warn against traditional practices such as scarification, the use of tourniquets, or applying substances to the wound. Ongoing challenges include the need for better training for healthcare professionals in peripheral health centers and improving the overall accessibility of antivenom serums.