As catastrophic floods continue to affect some areas of Nigeria, the authorities there report an increase in snake bites. According to Nasir Sani Gwarzo from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, snakes are vying for shelter with people in the majority of the flooded cities. Dr. Gwarzo warned BBC Hausa that epidemics like cholera, typhoid fever, and many other diseases would break out after the rise in snake bites.
He said that because of the rise in snake bites, the government had advised hospitals to keep enough antivenom on hand. Nigeria is currently experiencing some of its worst flooding in over ten years. According to the government, over a million individuals have lost their homes.