[Epidemiology and management of snake envenomations in the Dano health district, Ioba province (Burkina Faso) from 1981 to 2000].

A series of investigations concerning snakebites and management of envenomations was carried out from 1981 to 2000 in the medical District of Dano, Province of loba in Burkina Faso. Viper bites were more frequent than Elapid ones. The seasonal distribution of the envenomations reflected the cycle of field work and other specific activities. Care seeking within the Traditional System of Health Care (STSS) was more frequent than within the Conventional System of Health Care (SCSS). Lethality was higher at STSS level in cases of viper bites and, conversely, higher in SCSS in the cases of Elapid envenomations. This highlighted the interest in medicinal plants for treating snakebites particularly in case of neurotoxic envenomation. We classified several dozens medicinal plants within an inventory. Some of them have been studied and deemed worthy of interest. Others are used for the treatment of other types of poisoning (pesticides, plants toxic) and/or used in traditional rites. We hope to follow the Côte d'Ivoire experience such that African snake venom, neutralised by modern antivenom, might also be neutralised by the African natural resources.