Blood of an American man who deliberately injected himself with snake venom nearly 200 times has led to an "unparalleled" antivenom. Scientists have said that antibodies found in Tim Friede's blood have been shown to protect against fatal doses of venom from a wide variety of snakes, including kraits and cobras. It could be a breakthrough in treatment against snakebites, as all current therapies against snakebites have to match the specific species of venomous snake that anyone has been bitten by.How Dangerous Is A Snakebite?Someone dies from a snakebite every 4 to 6 minutes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The highest mortality rates occur in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, where access to medical care and antivenoms is often limited. India alone accounts for nearly half of all snakebite deaths globally, with rural populations being the most vulnerable. Beyond fatalities, snake bites can cause severe disabilities, including amputations and chronic pain. Many survivors suffer long-term psychological trauma and socioeconomic setbacks due to prolonged recovery and loss of livelihood. WHO also revealed that over a third of snakebite victims are under the age of 20, highlighting the significant risk faced by younger populations in tropical regions, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.The effects of snake venom can be devastating, leading to various complications and sometimes permanent disabilities. Shockingly, for every person who succumbs to a snakebite, three others may survive but live with lasting physical impairments, resulting in a continuous loss of income for families, especially if the victim is the primary breadwinner.How To Prevent SnakebitesPrevention is key when it comes to snakebites, especially for those living or working in snake-prone areas. Here are some practical steps to reduce the risk:1. Be Cautious: Be mindful of where you place your hands and feet. Avoid reaching into unknown spaces or under objects without checking for hidden snakes.2. Stay Aware: Keep an eye on your surroundings. Avoid lying down or sitting in areas that might harbour snakes.3. Dress Appropriately: Wear high-top boots and long pants when navigating through dense vegetation to provide better protection against snake bites.4. Avoid Handling Snakes: Do not attempt to capture, handle, or keep snakes, as this increases your risk of being bitten.5. Back Away Slowly: If you encounter a snake, calmly back away and do not attempt to touch or provoke it. How Are Traditional Antivenoms Created?The process of creating antivenoms typically involves immunising animals like horses or sheep with venom from a single species of snake. These animals then produce antibodies that are harvested and used to treat envenomated patients. While this is an effective treatment, the method has some limitations. It includes the possibility of adverse reactions to non-human antibodies. The fact that treatments tend to be species-specific it could then mean that if a person is bitten by one type of snake, then it may not benefit from an antivenom developed from a different species.