The Snakebite Crisis - Prevention, Treatments and how Humans and Venomous Snakes can co-exist

At the World Extreme Medicine Conference, Harrison Carter, doctoral researcher at Oxford and conservation biologist, explores the complex relationship between humans and snakes, from coexistence to conflict, and from fear to lifesaving value.

Drawing on fieldwork across India, Sri Lanka, and Africa, Harrison examines the global burden of snakebite, the cultural and ecological factors that shape human–snake interactions, and the urgent need for prevention strategies that work in local contexts.

This session covers:

The global scale and human impact of snakebite
Why snakes matter: ecological services and medical potential of venom
The challenges of treatment: access, cost, and limitations of antivenom
Practical prevention strategies rooted in local behaviour and culture
Pathways towards coexistence and reducing deaths by 2030

For medics, conservationists, and anyone working in environments where snakebite risk is real, this talk offers both practical insights and broader lessons on behaviour change and human–wildlife coexistence.

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Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Explain the global burden of snakebite and its socioeconomic consequences.
Recognise the ecological and cultural value of snakes, beyond their risks.
Analyse the barriers to effective snakebite treatment, including cost, access, infrastructure, and trust.
Evaluate prevention strategies, distinguishing between evidence-based measures and local practices.
Apply principles of behaviour change and cultural sensitivity when considering prevention and education initiatives in high-risk communities.