Fifteen cases of snake bite reported in two months, QKMFs without serum doses

As temperatures rise, so has the number of persons bitten by snakes in Kosovo. Over the past two months, 15 people have sought medical assistance at the Infectious Clinic of the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (QKUK). Some of these cases have been hospitalised, and others have been treated with anti-venin serum, reports “KosovoPress”.

Meanwhile, at the Main Centre of Family Medicine in Pristina, Decan and Gjilan say they have no doses of antivenin serum in snake bite cases, for which they point out that in such cases patients send them to regional hospitals for treatment because of the sensitivity of therapy. They say that no case of snake bite has been reported during these months.
The Director of Infectious Clinic at QKUK, Arben Visaj, says that of the 15 cases presented, 6 of them have had indicators to be hospitized, and 9 others have only been given antivenin serum under ambulator conditions. Visaj argued they have enough therapy to handle such cases.

QKMF chief chief in Pristina Valdet Hashan says of Kosova Preis that they do not possess the dose of this serum, which adds that because of possible complications, snake bite therapy is given in regional and theatre hospitals. He says no cases have been recorded in Pristina's QMFs.

Likewise, QKMF specialist in Decan Xhavit Rabukaj says that neither during the past year nor during these months of this year, they have confirmed any case of snake bites. Rabushakj shows that they are not supplied with specific serum, even though demand is made.
Even QKMF director in Gjilan Basri Kamberi says they don't have an antidote until he adds that they didn't accept any snake bite patients. As far from the vaccine center in this municipality, they show they own two-thirds of this serum.
While QKMF director in Skenderaj, the Nura Union says they own a serum in case of need.
Kosovo's National Public Health Institute (IKSHPK) in an email response to Kosova Prees has indicated that they possess enough serum in snake bite cases. According to the IKSHPK any QKMF that applied is supplied with serums.
There are sufficient serums in the IKSHPK that are used in snake bite cases. USKUK's central barrier/ QKUK is supplied with serums as well as any QKMF that has applied for serum supplies is supplied. I KSHPK has sufficient amount of serums to cover 2024, and has applied to cover the needs of 2025”, notes I KSHPK.