Fatal strikes: Two dead in Kerala as snakebite victims face critical anti-venom delays

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As extreme heat forces snakes out of their natural habitats, two more lives—including that of a young child—have been lost to snakebites. The deceased have been identified as Dikshal Dileep (8) from Azhoor, Chirayinkeezhu, and Selina (42) from Cheravally, Kayamkulam. These tragedies follow the recent death of Aljo, an eight-year-old boy in Thrissur, who also succumbed to a snakebite.

Tragedy in Chirayinkeezhu

Dikshal belonged to an economically backward family living in a makeshift house. He was bitten by a cobra while sleeping on a floor mat alongside his grandmother. Dikshal was the son of Dileep and Anu. Local residents later captured the snake from the house.

The family does not own land; they live in a plywood-walled shed with a tin roof, built on five cents of land provided by a well-wisher. Around 2:00 AM today, Dikshal woke up crying after being bitten on the big toe of his right foot. His parents rushed him to the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Hospital on a motorcycle. However, the doctor on duty reportedly failed to confirm it was a snakebite and did not administer anti-venom. Although he was referred to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College after preliminary care, he passed away en route.

Dikshal's grieving parents stated that their son’s life could have been saved had the Taluk Hospital administered anti-venom immediately. Dikshal was a third-grade student at Sharkara Sree Chithira Vilasom School. His father, Dileep, is an aluminium fabrication worker, and his mother, Anu, works at a DTP centre. He is survived by his younger sister, Drikshika, an Anganwadi student.

Death in Kayamkulam

In a separate incident, Selina was bitten at approximately 7:30 PM. The incident occurred in Kayamkulam while she was walking across a plot to retrieve her scooter after attending a wedding reception at a relative's house in Kottukulangara. Though she immediately informed those nearby that she had been bitten and was rushed to the Kayamkulam Taluk Hospital, she could not be saved. She was the wife of Najim (Secretary, Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi) and is survived by her daughter, Nazia.

Two others hospitalised

Two more individuals are currently undergoing treatment for snakebites in Thiruvananthapuram:

• Shamna (32): An ASHA worker from Varkala.
• Durga (17): A Plus-Two student from Vengode, Pothencode.

Both are currently admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.