Nigeria, June 17 -- A research centre at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has highlighted the dangers of snakebites and provided tips for their prevention and treatment.

ABU's Venom, Antivenom and Natural Toxins Research Centre (VANTRC) published the tips in its bulletin on Tuesday.

According to the bulletin, snakebite envenomation is a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly within the savanna regions where the carpet viper thrives.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 81,410 - 137,880 victims worldwide die each year because of snakebite, with most of the bites occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Nigeria, 174 snakebites per 100,000 population are reported each year, with the saw-scaled or carpet ...