Snakebite deaths on the rise in Kerala; other departments to cooperate with Forest Department to halve snakebite deaths

KOZHIKODE: Out of 847 people who died in wild animal attacks in the state in the last ten years, 540 died due to snake bites.

According to the Forest Department, out of 30 people who died due to snakebite in 2024, 26 people were killed due to lack of prevention and treatment. There was also a failure in getting people to the hospital on time. A student recently died in Nilambur due to a delay in getting allopathic treatment.

Besides humans, cows, buffaloes and goats are getting bitten by snakes. There are also deaths due to wild animal attacks including wild elephants in addition to this. In the last five years, there were 39,484 attacks. Over eight years, 200 people have died in wild elephant attacks. During this time, 46 people died in wild boar attacks, 8 people died in tiger attacks and 30 people died due to bee and wasp stings.

The forest department is trying to significantly reduce the number of snakebite deaths in the next five years.

Awareness is the first step

The initial goal is to halve snakebite deaths by promoting better treatment and prevention. Departments of Health, Revenue, Veterinary, Animal Husbandry, Education and Disaster Management will also cooperate. The first phase of the meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Forest Minister. Training will start soon. Misconceptions, including cutting the wound with a blade and taking the person to a snake-bite healer after a snake bite, will be changed.