Papuan taipan anti-venom on trial

The deadly Papuan taipan, one of the most-venomous snakes in the world.-Picture courtesy of DAVID WILLIAMS

By MALUM NALU

The world’s leading clinical toxinologist has given the thumbs up to Port Moresby General Hospital and rural health centres for the care given to snake bite victims, particularly the deadly Papuan taipan, one of the most-venomous snakes in the world and the leading cause of death in Papua New Guinea.

Prof David A. Warrell, the world’s leading clinical toxinologist, principally famous for his work on prospective studies of snakebite in tropical developing countries, said this after a lecture at the University of PNG’s medical school in Port Moresby on Monday evening.

Prof Warrell, who is professor of tropical medicine at the University of Oxford in England, has been in the country planning a clinical trial of the new Papuan taipan anti-venom developed by Port Moresby-based clinical toxinologist and herpetologist Dr David ‘Snakeman’ Williams of the Australian Venom Research Unit.

However, there is no indication yet as to when the anti-venom would become available, as it would first have to be trialed and approved.

Prof Warrell is no stranger to PNG, having worked here between 1986 and 2001 on a collaborative project between the University of Oxford and UPNG’s department of health.

“I haven’t come back (to PNG) for 10 years so this is very exciting for me,” he told me after the lecture.

“I’m very impressed by the care given to snakebite victims here at the hospital and in the health centres.

“For example, I visited Kwikila on Sunday, which is a health centre run by health extension officers and nurses.

“The key to saving lives in snake bite is good, early treatment, and that starts at the rural health centres.

“I’m back here to see the progress with the snake bite programme because it’s reached an exciting stage with the development of a new anti-venom, an alternative to Australian anti-venom, manufactured in Costa Rica.

“This was developed over the last two years by David Williams and his team here at the (UPNG) department of health.

“First it’s got to be subjected to clinical trials to confirm the very-promising potency and safety.

“These trials will be carried out here at Port Moresby General Hospital.

“I hope to be involved in the new trials of anti-venom here and I wish them the best of fortune in carrying out the trials.

“I agree with the dean here, Prof Isi Kevau, that this research could be very stimulating to medical students and young doctors here to remind them of the importance of doing research.”

Dr Williams announced last September before leaving for Switzerland that the new anti-venom would cost one-eighth of the current very-expensive price.

The cost of a vial is currently K4, 500; however, the new anti-venom will cost K600-K650 per vial.

The Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) is responsible for more than 90% of all cases of envenoming in south-eastern PNG, and the cost of treatment with available anti-venoms manufactured in Australia currently exceeds K4, 500 per vial.

Analysis of the incidence of bites by taipans have resulted in needs estimate of at least 700-1, 000 vials of appropriate anti-venom each year, yet, much less than this is purchased by the National Department of Health because it cannot afford this many vials at the current prices.