The epidemiology of snake bite presenting to British Military Hospital Dharan during 1989.

Abstract

Fifty-eight cases of snake bite seen at the British Military Hospital, Dharan, Nepal during 1989 were studied prospectively. Data is presented on the epidemiology and outcome of snake bite in this area of lowland Nepal with details of the age and sex of patients, date and time of bite, delay in arrival at hospital, use of tourniquets, circumstances of the bite, and snake identification. Neurotoxicity due to envenomation was recorded in 11 patients. No case of coagulopathy was recorded. The overall case fatality was 5.2% but mortality amongst those exhibiting signs of neurotoxicity was 27.3%.