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Saint Lucia Event Mulls Preserving Lives, Protecting Fer De Lance

On Friday, The Harbor Club in Saint Lucia was the setting for the 3rd International Symposium on Snakebite Envenoming and One Health, an event aimed at addressing the dual challenge of managing snakebite cases and preserving biodiversity.

The event was  organised by the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, bringing together experts and stakeholders from across the region to tackle the critical issue under the theme, “New Approaches to Combat Snakebite Envenoming: Integrating One Health Perspectives.”

Snake bite conference

In her keynote address, Dr. Alisha Eugene-Ford, Director of Universal Health Coverage, underscored the significance of the event and its relevance to public health initiatives on the island. “The management of snakebites is another service within the essential package of health services under Universal Health Coverage. This is a service that is marked to be officially launched during the financial year 2024-2025,” Dr. Eugene-Ford announced.

The Fer De Lance, a venomous snake endemic to Saint Luce, was a focal point of the discussions. Dr. Eugene-Ford highlighted the delicate balance required to address the risk posed by the species while preserving its existence. “One might ask, why protect such a poisonous snake? The Saint Luce is an endemic species to Saint Lucia, and it’s at a high risk of extinction. There is ongoing decline in the species population, and the infrequent but dangerous interactions between human beings and the snakes highlight the need for a plan to protect human lives and preserve this endemic species,” she stated.

Between November 2007 and March 2018, Saint Lucia recorded 104 snakebite cases, resulting in three deaths.

Globally, snakebites are responsible for over 100,000 deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities annually, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. 

The Saint symposium aims to provide insights into effective prevention and management strategies while exploring the broader ecological importance of snakes.

“This symposium will provide us with the opportunity to discuss and educate on all what is needed to strike this needed balance between the protection of human lives and snake preservation,” Dr. Eugene-Ford explained. 

The packed agenda includes sessions for:

  • Farmers on preventing snakebites.
  • Emergency medical teams on field care.
  • Clinicians on advanced management.

Another key discussion point she mentioned was the use of snake venom in medical research, the availability of antivenom, and establishing a snakebite registry to improve data collection and response efforts.

Dr. Eugene-Ford also praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the University Hospital of Martinique and the participation of snakebite specialists and stakeholders from across the Caribbean. “Your support and commitment are invaluable,” she remarked.

The symposium marks an important step forward for Saint Lucia in managing the dual challenges of snakebite envenoming and conservation, reinforcing the island’s commitment to public health and environmental sustainability.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. This snake in question has been said to produce beneficial venum for over 50 years, which can be used as an anasticia. This is a barefaced lie. Pharmaceutical companies are not interested in natural products because synthetic products can be produced at a much cheaper price and in abundance. This snake is feared by almost everyone on the island and no matter how much you try to rationalize its existence, I think a good snake is a dead snake.

  2. St lucia has more snakes now than ever before .there are less marijuana farmers in the hills now and the elders no longer live in the hills. No more wild pigs. So tell me how they have declind and why more sightings im dennery and anse la raye im places they have never been found before. Nonsense.

  3. Why don’t you designate some restricted geographical areas as snake reserves. Population increase and residential/ commercial land development are pushing the snakes out of their natural environment. They are now everywhere. There is no such thing as peaceful coexistence with deadly snakes.

  4. A Snake, is a Snake, is a Snake – the only good thing due is to cut the head off,
    then you can praise the Lord all day for that. The worst snake is the ones with guns

  5. @James Banks – That is not quite true. The snakes are coming out of their natural habitat and into residential and commercial zones. Not the other way around. This is because of the decline in agriculture where pesticides used to deter the snakes from leaving the forest reserve and the obvious increase in their population.

    We call it the French name Fer De Lance but this snake is actually a viper. This snake is deadly and SHOULD NOT BE PROTECTED BY LAW. I urge anyone who comes into contact with it and can safely do so to kill it forthwith and then contact the Forestry Department to come and remove it from the location. If we do not take action now, we will soon no longer be able to access our waterfalls and go on forest hikes in our own country. A country where the same government that protects the snake by law wants to promote tourism.

    And it is a fact that this snake was brought to St. Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe etc by the wicked slave owners to prevent their slaves from escaping the plantations and going to hide in the hills. IT IS NOT ENDEMIC TO ST. LUCIA! This is a lie to cover up the dirty deeds of the plantation owners.

    KILL IT FORTHWITH!!!! The law is an ass.

  6. Play with it,play with it,according to those comment,a snake is a snake and it the enemy of God…
    Don’t take chance ❗

  7. I dont think that the law on this snake have been repealed or replaced .my info is that legally there is payment for a snake head .because of how dangerous this snake is.research.

  8. @ Qwerty – thank you, you’ve got the right idea; the people who glorify Snakes are dreamers and they don’t live in todays reality. the beast should be eradicated from the Island.

  9. The snake has become a threat to humans. Wait till you see on in your balcony then you will understand. They need to be killed.

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