Heat not only affects humans. Snakes have also made it's way to residential areas and even establishments in many Eastern Visayas areas.
Due to this, Mapanas, Northern Samar Mayor Ronn Micheal Tejano wrote to the Department of Health (DOH) and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) requesting for more anti-venom vaccines.
Anti-venom is a ultimate treatment for snake bites. Only RITM produces the purified anti-venom serum as an antidote that should be administered as soon as possible or within eight hours from the time human was bitten.
Philippine Cobra
Increased cases of snake bites this summer period urged Tejano to send this urgent letter of request to thwart deadly punctures.
The supplies are crucial and much needed, especially in far-flung areas where there are no emergency health clinics.
Recently, two farmers died soon after being attacked by a Philippine Cobra, which bite is the most poisonous and could cause death within 30 minutes.
Research showed that this deadly species' primary habitat were in the provinces of Mindoro, Catanduanes and Masbate but the cobra has been reportedly seen in other places.
Its lifespan is about 20 years.
Serum Supply
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Tejano said, “Both victims accidentally stepped on the venomous snake while farming."
Mapanas, located on the Pacific coast of Northern Samar, is two hours away from the provincial hospital in Catarman and six hours away from the Eastern Visayas Medical Center, where the region’s supply of anti-venom is kept.
“Considering our location, it is really important for us to have an available supply of anti-venom for us to immediately provide medical assistance to those who are victims of snake bites,” Tejano added.
The letter was sent last month, and as of the moment, the RITM has yet to respond.
Crucial Time
Meanwhile, Southern Leyte, 2nd district Rep. Christopherson Yap is also looking forward to meet with the regional director of DOH to seek their assistance for a supply of anti-venom in his congressional district.
Two residents of his district also reportedly died due to snake bites.
“Time is a crucial element in this case. If we still need to transport the patient to Tacloban for them to receive medical attention when bitten by a snake, that will be too late, especially if the snake that bites them is venomous,” Yap said.
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