India's Snakebite Crisis is Killing Tens of Thousands Every Year
Devendra, a farmer from India, recalls the moment a snake bit his leg while picking mulberry leaves. He delayed his hospital visit for four days due to the pain. But the delay cost me my leg, he shares in a film by the Global Snakebite Taskforce (GST), whose mission is to reduce snakebite fatalities and injuries.
Sadly, Devendra is among the fortunate survivors. According to Indian federal estimates, around 50,000 Indians die each year from snakebites – representing around half of all global snakebite deaths. Some studies suggest this number may even rise to 58,000 annually.
A new GST report reveals that 99% of healthcare professionals in India encounter significant obstacles in providing antivenom, the crucial treatment for snakebites. Issues such as poor infrastructure, limited accessibility to antivenom, and inadequate training are rampant among medical personnel across India and other countries impacted by snakebites, including Brazil, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
Almost half the medical professionals surveyed noted that treatment delays led to severe complications for patients, necessitating amputations or resulting in lifelong mobility issues.
In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated snakebite envenoming as a "highest priority neglected tropical disease". It is estimated that over 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes worldwide each year, with over 100,000 fatalities.
Snakebites are predominantly a rural issue, particularly affecting impoverished communities in low to middle-income countries. Dr. Yogesh Jain from GST highlights that high incidence rates are linked to work in farms within central and eastern India.
In response, the Indian government launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in 2024, aiming to halve related fatalities by 2030. The plan focuses on improving antivenom access, medical training, and public awareness. However, experts point to inconsistent implementation and a lack of urgency regarding snakebite treatments in India.
According to Jain, In India, snakebites are viewed as a poor person's problem, leading to insufficient outrage and action against these avoidable deaths. He adds that the venom can enter the bloodstream quickly, creating a critical timeframe for effective antivenom administration to prevent severe consequences such as organ failure.
Unfortunately, rural India continues to bear systemic issues like poor transport and healthcare access. For instance, a pregnant woman in Gujarat was reported to have died after being carried for five kilometers to a hospital without proper access to medical transport.
While some Indian states are stocking antivenom in community health centers, the proper administration remains problematic due to a lack of trained personnel. Fear over potential adverse reactions during antivenom delivery contributes to this issue.
Faith in local remedies often delays hospital visits when symptoms worsen, adding another layer of complications to timely snakebite treatment.
Gerry Martin from The Liana Trust points out that the current antivenom only addresses a limited number of snake species, emphasizing the need for research on additional venomous species.
Experts advocate for mandatory reporting of snakebite cases within the healthcare system, as seen in Karnataka, emphasizing that maintaining political will is essential in addressing this pressing public health crisis.
Governments must ensure that impoverished populations have access to effective healthcare, concludes Jain. They deserve better.\
