[Epidemiology of snakebites in sugar cane plantations of Kwilu Ngongo in Democratic Republic of Congo].

An epidemiological study was undertaken in a sugar cane plantation of the Sugar Company of Kwilu Ngongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to evaluate the incidence of the snakebites, to report the epidemiological and clinical indicators and the therapeutic practices. The plantations extend by 41 km covering about 10,000 hectares in arboreal savannahs. The method associated i) a retrospective survey carried out from the registers of two health centres located in the heart of the plantations, then in the files of the central hospital of the sugar company and in a public health centre, and ii) an household survey using a questionnaire administered to 579 concessions and households over six years. The calculated incidence is estimated at 80 bites per annum for 100,000 inhabitants. More than half of the bites involved men working in industrial sugar cane plantations or in the fields and occurred during the rain season. Setting fire in sugar cane plantations during harvest had an influence both on the snake behaviour and men's activities. Because of the lack of antivenom, the treatment of snakebites remained symptomatic. The average duration of hospitalizations was 4 days, the criterion of monitoring being based on the disappearance of the oedema localized at the foot sometimes extending to the leg.