After months of critical shortages, the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) has confirmed that antivenom production has officially resumed in South Africa, bringing relief to hospitals and emergency services across the country.
Production had been paused earlier this year due to infrastructure upgrades at the country’s only antivenom manufacturing facility.
The halt triggered a nationwide alert in March 2025, as supplies of lifesaving antivenoms dwindled to dangerous levels.
Now, with production back online, the first batch of 536 units of polyvalent antivenom has been released, the NHLS said in a statement.
“This marks an important step in restoring the local supply for lifesaving antivenom, critical for the treatment of snake, spider, and scorpion envenomation,” said NHLS spokesperson Mzi Gcukumana.
Rollout Timeline Announced
Gcukumana confirmed that the supply pipeline will gradually stabilise over the coming months, with specific release dates already set:
- Polyvalent antivenom – Early November 2025
- Scorpion antivenom – Early November 2025
- Spider antivenom – End of November 2025
- Boomslang antivenom – End of November 2025
The polyvalent antivenom is particularly vital, as it treats bites from several of South Africa’s most venomous snakes, including cobras, mambas, and puff adders.
Critical for Rural and High-Risk Areas
Medical professionals and rural healthcare workers have welcomed the news. In many high-risk regions, especially in the Northern Cape, Limpopo, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, snake and scorpion bites are common, and delays in access to antivenom can be fatal.
The shortage earlier this year led to emergency imports in some provinces and forced certain facilities to ration doses or refer patients to far-off hospitals.
“Having local production back means faster access, lower costs, and potentially, saved lives,” said one senior emergency doctor in Mpumalanga.
Hope for Full Recovery by Year-End
The NHLS says it is working closely with provincial health departments to ensure equitable distribution of the newly available antivenoms, especially to clinics and hospitals in snakebite-prone areas.
Healthcare facilities are encouraged to update their inventories and prepare for resupply in line with the November release schedule.
For emergencies involving venomous bites or stings, dial 10177 or visit the nearest healthcare facility immediately.
