By Folasade Akpan

Prof. Saad Ahmed, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, says the hospital treated 11 snake-bite cases in 2026, urging residents to remain vigilant as temperatures rise.

Ahmed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that rising temperatures could drive reptiles from natural habitats towards cooler environments, increasing encounters with people in residential areas.

He said changing environmental conditions associated with El Niño could influence reptile movements, potentially increasing contact between snakes and humans, particularly as temperatures rise across different parts of the country.

“El Niño is a situation whereby we have an increase in environmental temperature arising from the rise in temperature around the Pacific,” Ahmed explained, describing the phenomenon’s environmental implications.

“With that, you expect some reptiles to actually be affected. Certainly, they will come out of their hiding in order to get cooler environments where they can live.

“In doing so, they can come in contact with humans, and if one mistakenly comes in contact with them without knowing, it can lead to an encounter,” he warned.

NAN reports that El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterised by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, influencing weather patterns and temperatures worldwide.

Ahmed attributed human-reptile encounters partly to environmental conditions, particularly indiscriminate development, poor sanitation and the accumulation of materials around residential buildings, which could provide suitable hiding places for snakes.

He explained that properly planned development should reduce spaces available for reptiles, while poorly maintained surroundings could create hiding places, increasing the likelihood of encounters between snakes and residents.

“Where we keep things indiscriminately, you are leaving some spaces where these reptiles can actually go and hide,” Ahmed said, urging residents to maintain clean and organised surroundings.

“If everywhere is clean, the reptiles will have no chance of living in that place, which means they have to move away from those areas,” he added.

The medical director advised residents to seek immediate medical attention whenever someone sustained a snake bite, emphasising that early treatment remained critical to preventing potentially life-threatening complications.

He explained that venom types varied according to snake species, with some affecting the nervous system and potentially causing respiratory failure, while others damaged blood cells, causing bleeding and organ failure.

“The most important thing is to get the person to the nearest hospital as soon as possible,” Ahmed said, emphasising the importance of prompt medical intervention.

Ahmed said FMC Abuja maintained stocks of polyvalent anti-snake venom, dismissing claims that the hospital had previously lacked the treatment following a snake-bite incident that attracted attention on social media.

He explained that the hospital administered two doses of polyvalent anti-snake venom to the patient involved, but treatment was complicated because the patient arrived after a considerable delay.

According to him, polyvalent anti-snake venom covers different snake species, while monovalent anti-snake venom is administered when the particular snake responsible for the bite is known.

He said the Federal Government had commenced distributing anti-snake venom to health facilities through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, from which FMC Abuja currently sourced supplies.

“The earlier you institute the modalities of treatment by giving anti-snake venom and all the other supportive treatment, the better the outcome.

“If you are able to transmit the person in less than 15 to 30 minutes, that’s a very good time within which intervention can be taken,” he added.

Ahmed called for increased public awareness and research into snake-bite management, noting that the Federal Government had upgraded a health facility in Ogun into a specialist research centre.

He said the facility was expected to conduct research and explore the production of locally manufactured anti-snake venom, potentially strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to manage snake-bite cases.

The medical director cautioned residents against delaying hospital treatment in favour of traditional remedies, while supporting scientific research into traditional practices to establish their safety and effectiveness.

He also advised residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during periods of high temperatures, recommending adequate hydration, appropriate clothing and reduced exposure to direct sunlight.

“Try to wear light clothing, drink lots of water and avoid sunny places. Always look for shelter so that you don’t have dehydration and heatstroke.

“While the heat is there, let’s see how we can take care of ourselves and also be mindful that reptiles could come out within this period.

“Let’s keep our environment clean and be very vigilant,” he urged residents, emphasising the importance of environmental sanitation and awareness in preventing snake encounters.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru