Karnataka has reported over 5,000 snakebite cases and 36 deaths in the first six months of 2024, a significant rise from the 6,596 cases and 19 deaths in 2023. This increase follows the state’s new mandate requiring all hospitals to report snakebite cases. Karnataka is the first state to make snakebite a ‘notifiable disease,’ a move driven by Sumanth Bindumadhav, Director of Wildlife at Humane Society International India.
Despite the mandate, challenges persist. Gaps in treatment and outdated medical knowledge contribute to delays in antivenom administration, increasing mortality rates. Experts argue that snakebite deaths, which outnumber deaths from other man-animal conflicts, are often overlooked in national discussions.
The crisis is exacerbated by the reliance on faith healers and outdated medical practices. Efforts are underway to improve training for first responders and update medical curricula to address these issues. A call for better research and localized antivenoms is essential for effective treatment.
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