Jabbour E. Snakebite in Lebanon: The painful reality. Med Emergency, MJEM 2020; 28:64-8.
DOI: 10.26738/MJEM.2017/MJEM28.2020/CT.CEE.060520
Keywords: antivenom, emergencies, emergency department, Lebanon, Middle East, snake, species
- Authors’ affiliation
- Article history / info
- Conflict of interest statement
Corresponding Author: Elsy JABBOUR, MD
Emergency Department, Lebanese American University Medical Center,
Beirut, Lebanon
elsyjabbour.1@gmail.com
Jabbour E, MD
Emergency Department, Lebanese American University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Category: continuous education
Received: Nov. 27, 2019
Revised: Jan. 22, 2020
Accepted: May 06, 2020
There is no conflict of interest to declare
ABSTRACT
Unfortunately, snakes remain a nightmare for the villagers in Lebanon. Ninety percent of snakebites are non-venomous, and snakes are not aggressive and do not bite unless provoked. Among the 25 species that were observed in Lebanon, only three were identified as venomous snakes: vipera palaestinae, vipera lebetina and vipera bornmuelleri. The objectives of this article are to present the types of Lebanese snake species, and to provide a guide for management in the emergency department and the indications for antivenom use. Finally, we will present common misconceptions and the Lebanese situation concerning antivenom availability.