Envenenamento fatal por mordedura de Naja Nigricollis em Angola e uso da terapia tradicional: um caso clínico em Benguela

Abstract

Introduction: Snakebite poisoning is a major public health problem and a frequent medical-surgical emergency that affects rural communities in Africa. It is responsible for a large number of victims who can evolve to death, especially in rural areas, where these communities suffer most from living far from hospitals-- eventually undergoing traditional treatment. This article aims to describe the first fatal case in a child in Benguela Province - Angola with Naja nigricollis poisoning, the second most dangerous species in Africa after Dendroaspis polylepsis. It has become a particularly feared snake in the countryside for being nocturnal Snake that attack mostly at night while victims are sleeping. Although rarely fatal, the venom is highly cytotoxic with no observed neurotoxic symptoms. The child was bitten on her neck and right foot while sleeping. During six days after the accident, the parents submited her to traditional herbal treatment, then brought her to Benguela´s General Hospital on a septic condition of severe necrotizing fasciitis and severe anemia. necrectomy of the affected regions and appropriate treatment of anemia. Results: The death of the child after 4 days in intensive care at the same hospital. Conclusions: The fatality of this case report demonstrates that despite appropriate late surgical clinical management, the spectrum of severity of naja nigricollis poisoning is still a reality that could be
avoided if we educate our local population and dissuade them from the belief in the use of traditional therapy in snakebite accidents.