
SNAKEBITE CRISIS IN INDIA
India accounts for nearly half of the global snakebite fatalities, with around 58,000 deaths annually. Despite being the largest producer and consumer of antivenoms, the country faces significant challenges in providing effective treatment due to factors like delayed access to healthcare, infrastructure limitations, and cultural barriers.
Global Scenario of Snakebites
Prevalence of Snakebites
- Each year, around 5.4 million people worldwide are bitten by snakes, with 1.8 to 2.7 million cases resulting in venom exposure.
- Snakebites contribute to approximately 81,410 to 137,880 deaths annually. Many victims also suffer from permanent disabilities, including amputations.
- The WHO has classified snakebite envenoming (poisoning caused by snake venom) as a neglected tropical disease, calling it a high priority for global health efforts.
India’s Snakebite Challenge
- India hosts over 300 species of snakes, of which more than 60 are venomous.
- The primary culprits behind snakebite deaths in India are the “Big Four”: Indian cobra, common krait, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper.
- Between 2001 and 2014, India experienced an estimated 1.2 million snakebite fatalities and 3.6 million permanent disabilities.
- The risk of death from a snakebite for one in every 250 Indians before the age of 70 is a startling statistic.
Vulnerable Populations
- Rural areas, particularly agricultural workers, are more at risk, especially during the monsoon season when snake encounters are common.
- Limited access to healthcare, inadequate medical infrastructure, and delayed treatment often worsen the consequences.
- Rapid urbanization has also increased the frequency of snake encounters in cities, particularly due to poor waste management and urban flooding.
What is Snake Venom?
- Snake venom is a complex mixture of proteins that cause significant damage to the human body.
- Haemotoxins attack blood cells and disrupt blood clotting.
- Neurotoxins interfere with nerve functions, causing paralysis.
- Cytotoxins destroy tissue at the site of the bite.
Antivenoms: A Lifesaving Solution
- Antivenoms, also known as antivenins, are medicines designed to counteract snake venom.
- They work by binding to venom toxins, neutralizing them, and enabling the body’s immune system to eliminate the toxins over time.
- Polyvalent Antivenoms in India are specifically formulated for the venom of the “Big Four” species, although they do not cover other venomous snakes like the king cobra or pit vipers.
Production of Antivenoms
- Antivenoms are made by extracting venom from snakes, immunizing animals (such as horses or sheep) to produce antibodies, and then harvesting and purifying these antibodies.
- The Irula tribe in Tamil Nadu plays a crucial role in venom extraction, supplying around 80% of the venom required for antivenom production in India.

Challenges in Accessing Antivenoms in India
Geographical Barriers
- Many rural areas are far from healthcare facilities that stock antivenoms, making timely treatment difficult.
- Remote areas also face difficulties in transportation and access to medical resources.
Cultural and Social Factors
- In rural communities, superstitions and reliance on traditional healing practices often delay seeking medical care.
- These cultural barriers increase the time between the snakebite and the administration of antivenom, raising the likelihood of complications and death.
Economic Constraints
- Antivenoms are expensive to produce, which limits their accessibility, especially for economically disadvantaged populations.
- Many people in rural areas cannot afford the cost of these life-saving treatments.
Logistical Issues
- Poor infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas, leads to problems like inadequate cold storage for antivenoms, causing a reduction in their potency.
- Inconsistent supply chains and lack of proper medical facilities further hamper effective distribution and timely administration of antivenoms.
Emerging Solutions and Innovations
National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE)
- The Indian government has launched NAP-SE with the aim of halving snakebite deaths and disabilities by 2030.
- The plan focuses on improving access to antivenoms, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and raising awareness about snakebite prevention.
Synthetic Antivenoms
- Researchers are developing synthetic antivenoms using advanced technologies like recombinant DNA and artificial intelligence (AI) to design more effective and safer alternatives to traditional antivenoms.
- This approach, demonstrated by the 2024 Nobel laureates, could revolutionize snakebite treatment by offering more precise solutions tailored to specific types of venom.
Region-Specific Antivenoms
- Scientists at IISc Bengaluru are working on antivenoms designed to address regional variations in venom and snake species, improving the efficacy of treatments across different parts of India.
Rapid Diagnostic Tools
- Portable venom-detection kits are being developed to allow healthcare providers to quickly identify the type of venom involved in a snakebite.
- This would enable more accurate and timely administration of the appropriate antivenom, improving patient outcomes.
Public Education Campaigns
- Raising awareness about snakebite prevention and the importance of seeking timely medical care can significantly reduce the number of fatalities.
- Public education campaigns can help overcome cultural barriers and encourage the use of medical interventions rather than traditional remedies.
Mains question:
- “Discuss the challenges India faces in combating snakebite fatalities and evaluate the effectiveness of emerging solutions and government initiatives in addressing this issue.” (150 WORDS)