311 Venom research centre, Bangladesh: a national initiative to attain antivenom capacity

<h3>Background</h3> Snakebite poses a significant public health concern in Bangladesh, also globally. Annually, approximately 450,000 individuals in Bangladesh fall victim to snakebites, resulting in around 7,500 fatalities due to envenomation. Recognizing its widespread impact, WHO identifies snakebite as a highly neglected tropical disease, urging member states to urgently address this issue. They call for decisive actions to alleviate the suffering of millions, aiming to cut snakebite fatalities by 50% before 2030. WHO has stressed the necessity of utilizing antivenoms tailored to the venoms of the specific snake species responsible for the envenomation. Bangladesh employs antivenoms produced against Indian snake species, which is scientifically suboptimal for neutralizing the venoms of local snakes. <h3>Description</h3> In response to this issue, the ‘Venom Research Centre, Bangladesh’ was established in 2018 as a project of Non-Communicable Disease Control program under the Directorate General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh. <h3>Objectives</h3> The immediate objective was to collect specimens of and venom from medically important snakes across the country. Long-term goals involve obtaining standard, representative venom samples, standardizing them, conducting venomic and proteomic studies, and developing effective and affordable antivenoms. <h3>Outcomes and Learnings</h3> The centre has collected and reared up snakes from diverse geo-locations of Bangladesh, representing Cobras, Kraits, and Vipers. To rear these snakes, a self-sufficient mice-breeding facility was developed. Milking from these snakes has been accomplished, paving the way for venomic and anti-venomic studies. The centre is poised to evaluate the efficacy of existing antivenoms and embark on the scientific development of antibodies in goats and chickens for testing against local venoms. This marks the initial steps towards producing a representative batch of a locally tailored antivenom. <h3>Implications</h3> Beyond addressing immediate health concerns, it also offers a unique platform for veterinary physicians to systematically research snakes and their diseases. It serves as a central hub for academic research and educational excursions, catering to students studying life sciences at various educational levels. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The centre act as an unparalleled and flagship initiative for the country to tackle a critical public health issue like snakebite through a scientific research.