By Hou Akot Hou
A 22-year-old student, Apath Deng, has died after being bitten by a snake while crossing a waterlogged area on his way home from school.
The incident happened in Mangar-ater village, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
According to Majok Deng, the police inspector for Gok-Machar, the young man encountered the snake while navigating a pool of water.
Despite immediate attempts to save him using local herbs, his condition worsened, and he could not be transported to Gok-machar for medical assistance in time.
“People tried to administer herbs in hopes he might vomit the venom, but their efforts were unsuccessful. We rushed him to Gok-machar for treatment, but it was too late. It is truly unfortunate to lose such an energetic young man who had the potential to contribute significantly to his family and community,” Deng lamented.
The inspector cautioned residents to avoid walking in waterlogged areas, especially as flooding continues to affect the area.
He also called on health authorities to ensure that anti-venom supplies are available at all local health facilities.
Snake bites have become increasingly common in the area, exacerbated by flooding linked to drastic climate changes.
Both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management have been actively sending out warnings, urging communities to relocate to higher ground to mitigate risks associated with flooding, including snake encounters.