How camel tears can neutralise snake venom

A new study suggests that camel tears may help combat snakebite deaths. Scientists at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) in Dubai found that camels immunised with venom from snakes, such as the saw-scaled viper produce special antibodies known as nanobodies, which were found not only in their blood, but also in their tears.

The National Research Centre on Camel in India reports that these nanobodies are smaller and more heat-resistant than conventional antibodies. In lab experiments, they neutralised venom effects, such as internal bleeding and blood clotting issues.

Early data suggests camel tears could counter venom from up to 26 snake species. If confirmed, this could revolutionise antivenom production, especially in regions where access to treatment is limited.

However, the findings are still in the early stages. They have not been peer-reviewed or tested in human clinical trials. Researchers stress that more studies are needed before camel-derived antivenoms can be used in practice.

Unlike traditional antivenoms, which are mostly derived from horse antibodies, camel nanobodies are more stable in hot climates and less likely to cause allergic reactions. Current antivenoms are expensive, require refrigeration, and are hard to distribute in remote rural areas where snakebites are most common.

Snakebite envenoming is one of the world’s most neglected tropical health problems. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes each year. Of these, 1.8 to 2.7 million are envenomed, leading to approximately 137,000 deaths annually. Many more are left with lifelong disabilities, such as amputations or paralysis. Most cases occur in poor rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, where healthcare access is limited.

Kenya is among the hardest-hit countries. Snakebites are a major public health issue, especially in rural and pastoralist areas. According to Health Action International, Kenya sees between 82,000 and 242,000 snakebite cases every year. The Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) reports about 4,000 deaths annually, with another 7,000 people suffering permanent injuries, such as amputations or paralysis.

In Samburu County, the problem is particularly severe due to its nomadic population. A study published in the Public Library of Science found a snakebite prevalence of 2.2 per cent over five years—about 440 cases per 100,000 people annually. The mortality rate was 138 deaths per 100,000 over the same period, far higher than official health statistics, suggesting many victims never reach medical care.

The Kenya Snakebite Research and Intervention Centre (K-SRIC) says up to 70 per cent of snakebite cases are treated by traditional healers and go unreported, making it difficult for health authorities to plan or allocate enough antivenom. Even where patients reach health centres, treatment is often unavailable or unaffordable. According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health, only 27 per cent of facilities stock antivenom. A single vial costs about Sh6,000, and several are typically needed per patient—costing more than many families can afford.

Another major challenge is that most antivenoms used in Africa are produced using venom from snakes in India, Mexico, or South America. Because venom composition varies widely even within species, these imported treatments are often ineffective against African snakes.

In Kenya, dangerous species, include the black mamba, puff adder, boomslang, gaboon viper, and various cobras. Their venoms range from neurotoxins that affect the nervous system to haemotoxins that damage blood and tissue.

Recognising these challenges, Kenyan researchers are collaborating with international partners to develop local solutions. The K-SRIC and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine are creating antivenoms tailored to local snake species by directly extracting their venom. Another promising approach involves immunising chickens with black mamba venom and harvesting antibodies (Immunoglobulin Y) from their eggs, offering a potentially cheaper and more sustainable treatment source.

The discovery of camel nanobodies presents another potential breakthrough. Camels are common in northern and eastern Kenya and play an important role in pastoralist communities. Their tears naturally contain active proteins, such as lysozyme that help fight infections in desert conditions. If camel nanobodies prove effective against venom from Kenya’s deadliest snakes, they could become a locally available, low-cost treatment option.

However, Further research is needed to test camel nanobodies on local snake venoms, ensure safety, and assess the cost of large-scale production.