[Snakebites in the Sudanian and Sahelian zones of Mali: epidemiology, symptoms and treatment].

The purpose of this study was to document the epidemiology, symptoms and treatment of snake envenomation in Mali between 2005 and 2006. Data was collected using two methods, i.e., household surveys and retrospective surveys. Household surveys carried out in a village of 597 people showed that the annual average incidence was 164 snakebites per 100,000 inhabitants. Retrospective surveys were conducted in 35 healthcare facilities (5 regional hospitals and 30 district health centers) located in 5 parts of the country. Study periods ranged from 2 to 11 years depending on the location. The mean annual incidence of snakebite including dry-bites without envenomation was 27 per 100,000 inhabitants (range, 15-59). Hospital mortality was 4.7% (67/1433) (range, 2.2-6.7%). The population at risk consisted mainly of working men who accounted for 68.4% (980/1433). Patients between 15 and 30 years accounting for 41.2% (590/1433) of the sample were at highest risk for snakebite (chi2=9.96; p=6.10-3). The frequency of snakebite increased from 9.9% (142/1433) in Mopti in the North to 39.9% (572/1433) in Sikasso in the South (chi2=11.93; p=0,017). Snakebites most frequently occurred during the rainy season (56.6%) but only 0.68% of victims were referred to the health center. Hemorrhagic and inflammatory syndromes were the main complications of envenomation. Treatment was always symptomatic. Antivenom serum requirements ranged from 63 to 200 ampoules per year. Our results show that the frequency of snakebites remains grossly underestimated based on hospital data.