Antivenom therapy of carpet viper (Echis ocellatus) envenoming: Effectiveness and strategies for delivery in West Africa

► Appropriate antivenoms confer 75% protection against deaths from Echis ocellatus envenoming. ► Antivenoms against Echis carinatus are ineffective against E. ocellatus envenoming. ► Antivenoms against E. ocellatus neutralize venoms of many African Echis species. ► Effective antivenoms should be made widely available at all times in affected areas. ► Access should be decentralized/broadened to rural areas in a 'hub-and-spoke' model.