File photo of warning signs about snakes displayed in Lalbagh, Bangalore.
With the steady increase in snake bite cases and deaths, the state health department will now review all snake bite deaths. According to a recent government order (GO), the H1N1 Death Audit Committee in the region has now been designated to audit the deaths of snakes.
Snake bites are a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by venomous snake bites, usually by chance. As of April 28, the state reported 3,392 and 20 deaths this year.
The number of recorded snakebite envenoming cases and deaths in Karnataka have seen a sharp rise from 6,596 bite cases and 19 deaths in 2023 to 13,235 cases and 101 deaths in 2024. This follows Karnataka declaring snakebite envenoming cases and deaths notifiable under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020 from February 2024.
What to say?
Under Travel, the H1N1 Commission authorizes all deputy commissioners to authorize review of the audit of the death of Snakebites within its jurisdiction. The Deputy Commissioner was also directed to implement the National Prevention and Control Program for Snakebite Isu (NPSE) in its jurisdiction at least once a quarter in at least once in its jurisdiction. They also directed them to take the necessary measures to correct the challenges noted in the implementation of NPSE.
Ansar Ahmed, state program director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP), said measures were taken to reduce the incidence and mortality caused by snake insects after snake bites were announced as notifications.
Although antiserpent venom (ASV) is provided at sufficient stocks at all facilities (starting from primary health centers to regional hospitals), the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is recruited for the initial loading dose (SOP) of all snakebite cases and the initial loading dose for all snakebite cases.
challenge
But despite all the measures taken, the state faces some challenges in the implementation of the plan. “The reporting of cases and deaths is not 100% because some medical schools and private hospitals do not report all cases or delays in reporting. In addition, bite victims still seek treatment from traditional belief therapists, resulting in a loss of valuable time, which is the main cause of death analysis,” Dr. Ahmed said.
The official noted that while medical staff on the periphery must undergo ongoing training, community awareness must be created through information, education and communication (IEC) involving other departments. He added that thereafter, it is necessary to establish a regional-level mechanism to better monitor all snake bite deaths.
Annual snake bite death
2022: 3,439 cases; 17 deaths
2023: 6,596 bites; 19 deaths
2024: 13,235 cases; 101 deaths
2025 (to April 28): 3,392 cases; 20 deaths
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publishing – April 29, 2025 05:05 AM IST
