A student from the University of Wales Institute, Chris Cherry, is working on developing a new way of creating and keeping anti-venom stable in the hot climate that the Carpet Viper inhabits. This could potentially save 1000 lives a year and PhD student Chris is working closely alongside pharmaceutical company MicroPharm in Wales and the Nigerian government to produce this stable form of Anti-venom.The West African Carpet Viper of the genus Echis are an extremely venomous viper from dry regions of Africa and also parts of the middle east. They are a small viper that grows no bigger than 90cm. The venom of the Carpet Viper is extremely virulent and the Carpet Python is responsible for the most human fatalities of any venomous snake. A bite from the Carpet Viper causes quick internal bleeding and is usually fatal.Prior to starting his PhD, Chris traveled to Nigeria to witness first hand the areas and people affected by the African Carpet Viper and is said to be thrilled that his research will directly affect and improve others lives.
