AVRI has chosen the island nation of Sri Lanka, located in
South Asia about 31 kilometers (19.3 mi.) off the Southern coast of India, for their pilot project. In Sri Lanka the annual death rate due to snakebite envenomation is one of the highest in the world being 6 in 100,000 population.
The high incidence of snakebite morbidity and mortality are due to a variety of factors including: the presence of representatives of all the known snake families which contain venomous species (Colubridae, Elapidae, Hydrophiidae and Viperidae), the favorable climates and habitats, the socioeconomic condition of the people, the preference of some victims for seeking traditional treatment for snakebite instead of biomedicine (e.g. antivenom), clearing and alterations to the natural vegetation and habitats by people for settlements, agriculture and plantations (de Silva, 2005).
The antivenom currently used in Sri Lanka was developed from snake populations based in India. As a result, the antivenom has proven to be less effective, requiring the administration of large, voluminous doses as slow infusions. It is also known to contain high levels of impurities and has resulted in very frequent, moderate to severe adverse effects. For all these reasons such preparations cannot be used in the field, where it is needed most. Four species of snakes are being targeted by AVRI for the creation of a polyvalent antivenom for Sri Lanka, the Cobra (Naja naja), Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii), and Hump Nose Viper (Hypnale hypnale).
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