Snakes & Snakebites

Snakebite is a major health problem in India, with studies showing that anywhere between 50,000 and 120,000 people die in the country due to snakebites every year. Though not all snakes are poisonous, and though snakebite deaths are by and large preventable, the problem has been made worse by the fact that many victims do not seek medical care, thus increasing their risk of death. Taking resort to self-styled healers, quacks, and tantra-mantra further worsens the situation, and there have been incidents when health workers in rural areas in different states have faced resistance from the community itself while trying to take patients away from quacks to the hospital. Needless to say, snakebite incidents occur more in rural areas for the obvious reason that snakes find the rural setting safer than the urban environment. According to reports, anywhere between 82 and 97 percent of snakebite deaths in India occur in rural areas. Assam, with its diverse habitats, is home to a large variety of snake species, which include several venomous snakes like the Russell’s viper, banded krait, and king cobra. On Friday, Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal informed the state assembly that as many as 32 snakebite deaths were reported in the state from April to December 2024. While snakebite incidents occur mostly in rural areas, it is sad that the government has not been able to provide anti-snake venom (ASV) to every primary health centre. According to the minister, the application of ASV often reports fatal side effects, which in turn calls for immediate admission into ICU and ventilation support. While snakebite treatment is available in the district hospitals, the good news is that the government has decided to introduce snakebite treatment facilities in the primary health centres soon. Most snakebite incidents in Assam reportedly take place in the tribal areas and districts having tea gardens. It is also good that the state government has prepared a roadmap to achieve zero deaths due to snakebites by 2025-26, besides publishing a specific standard operating procedure that is in sync with the existing national guidelines in snakebite management. Meanwhile, experts have suggested the introduction of comprehensive care for snakebite treatment. As reported, comprehensive care is planned, coordinated, preventive, promotive, curative, mental, and socio-economic care for snakebite victims. It is important that all government hospitals have a dedicated snakebite room adjacent to the emergency department, and victims should be approached as acute medical emergencies like victims of accidents.