BACKGROUND:
Snakebite envenoming presents a significant burden to the health care system in Vietnam. However, data on snakebite-related hospital visits and the availability of antivenom across the country remain scarce. Furthermore, details on clinical presentation, responsible snakes, and treatment practices are lacking.
METHODS:
In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we collected data on snakebite-related visits and antivenom availability in major hospitals across 40 provinces from 2018 to 2022 and analysed a subset of patients' files. We displayed the geographical distribution of snakebite-related visits, available antivenoms, and responsible snake species across Vietnam, described the clinical presentations of envenoming, and assessed the appropriateness of treatment practices.
RESULTS:
We recorded 23 877 snakebite-related visits from 2018 to 2022. Antivenom was available in 29 of 62 (46.8%) hospitals, more commonly in the southern provinces. In 2024 patient files, signs of haemotoxic envenoming and neurotoxic envenoming were recorded in 445 (22.0%) and 59 (2.9%) patients, respectively. The most frequently recorded snake genera were Trimeresurus and Naja. Antivenom was administered to 434 (33.9%) of the 1280 patients from antivenom-equipped hospitals. Ancillary treatments were commonly used: 1076 (53.1%) patients received antibiotics, and 940 (46.4%) received corticosteroids. In-hospital mortality was low at 0.3% and was mainly due to neurotoxic envenoming.
CONCLUSIONS:
We recorded a considerable number of snakebite-related visits in participating hospitals; however, antivenom availability was limited, and treatment practices were often inappropriate. Improving access to antivenom and updating national guidelines are essential to further reduce morbidity and mortality of snakebite in Vietnam.
BT - Journal of global health C1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42358225 DA - 06/2026 DO - 10.7189/jogh.16.04225 IS - 04225 J2 - J Glob Health LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -BACKGROUND:
Snakebite envenoming presents a significant burden to the health care system in Vietnam. However, data on snakebite-related hospital visits and the availability of antivenom across the country remain scarce. Furthermore, details on clinical presentation, responsible snakes, and treatment practices are lacking.
METHODS:
In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we collected data on snakebite-related visits and antivenom availability in major hospitals across 40 provinces from 2018 to 2022 and analysed a subset of patients' files. We displayed the geographical distribution of snakebite-related visits, available antivenoms, and responsible snake species across Vietnam, described the clinical presentations of envenoming, and assessed the appropriateness of treatment practices.
RESULTS:
We recorded 23 877 snakebite-related visits from 2018 to 2022. Antivenom was available in 29 of 62 (46.8%) hospitals, more commonly in the southern provinces. In 2024 patient files, signs of haemotoxic envenoming and neurotoxic envenoming were recorded in 445 (22.0%) and 59 (2.9%) patients, respectively. The most frequently recorded snake genera were Trimeresurus and Naja. Antivenom was administered to 434 (33.9%) of the 1280 patients from antivenom-equipped hospitals. Ancillary treatments were commonly used: 1076 (53.1%) patients received antibiotics, and 940 (46.4%) received corticosteroids. In-hospital mortality was low at 0.3% and was mainly due to neurotoxic envenoming.
CONCLUSIONS:
We recorded a considerable number of snakebite-related visits in participating hospitals; however, antivenom availability was limited, and treatment practices were often inappropriate. Improving access to antivenom and updating national guidelines are essential to further reduce morbidity and mortality of snakebite in Vietnam.
PY - 2026 SP - 1 EP - 13 T2 - Journal of global health TI - The disease that bites - an assessment of demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment practices of patients with snakebite envenoming across Vietnam. UR - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13306317/pdf/jogh-16-04225.pdf VL - 16 SN - 2047-2986 ER -