What to do immediately after a snakebite – Expert

A medical professional has blamed widespread health misinformation for public misunderstanding surrounding the death of a young Nigerian singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly died after a snakebite.

She said the incident highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of public health education in Nigeria.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, clinician Dr Stella Kokondo Essien explained that proper first aid after a snakebite is critical and should focus on immobilising the affected limb and transporting the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible, rather than resorting to traditional or improvised practices.

She warned that tying a cloth or rope tightly around the bitten limb, a common practice in many communities, is dangerous and ineffective.

According to her, such actions do not stop venom from spreading and can lead to severe tissue damage.

“The first step is to immobilise the affected hand or leg and avoid excessive movement. A tourniquet should not be used. The patient should be stabilised and taken to the nearest hospital immediately,” she said.

Dr Essien explained that completely restricting blood flow to a limb could result in permanent damage.

She added that even basic splinting, such as using cardboard to keep the limb still, would be far safer than tightly tying it.

The clinician also addressed public outrage over the medical care the singer reportedly received at a health facility, where some commentators claimed that intravenous (IV) fluids worsened her condition by spreading the venom.

She dismissed the claim as medically incorrect, explaining that the venom would already have entered the bloodstream before hospital treatment began.

“That is not true. The IV fluids were necessary to stabilise the patient, support circulation, and help flush the system while the antivenom was administered,” she said.

According to medical research, venom from certain snakes, including cobras, can attack the muscles responsible for breathing, leading to respiratory failure if urgent care is delayed.

Dr Essien noted that in Ifunanya’s case, prolonged delay before reaching the hospital and excessive movement after the bite which reportedly occurred on her hand, close to the heart   may have worsened her condition.

“Running, struggling or moving after a snakebite increases blood circulation and allows venom to spread faster, especially when the bite is on an upper limb,” she explained.

“The venom can paralyse the muscles of respiration, which is why supportive care like IV fluids is essential while antivenom works.”

She warned that misinformation shared online can influence relatives and first responders during emergencies, potentially costing lives.

According to her, treatment decisions in hospitals are guided by established clinical protocols, not myths circulating on social media.

She called on communities, media commentators and social media users to verify medical information with qualified professionals before sharing it publicly.

“Nigeria needs a systematic overhaul of public health education campaigns. Going on air to claim that IV fluids harmed the patient is wrong and dangerous,” she said.

She also clarified that IV fluids are not treatments for specific illnesses but are used to support patients who are weak, dehydrated, vomiting or unable to eat.