Bengaluru
Karnataka has witnessed a sharp rise in snakebite cases over the past three years, with 36,636 incidents reported and 273 deaths recorded. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao shared these figures in the Legislative Council while outlining the government’s measures to tackle the growing public health concern.
Responding to a question raised by Council member K. Govindaraj during the session, the minister presented detailed data indicating a year-on-year increase in both snakebite cases and fatalities. The trend has raised concerns among health authorities, prompting the government to strengthen monitoring and response mechanisms.
In a significant step to improve data collection and reduce mortality, the state government has classified snakebite as a notifiable disease in 2024. This means that all government and private hospitals are now required to mandatorily report snakebite cases to the authorities. The move is expected to ensure accurate tracking and timely intervention in such cases.
The minister emphasized that free treatment is being provided across all primary health centers, community health centers, and district hospitals. Anti-snake venom (ASV), the primary life-saving treatment for snakebite, is being made available at no cost to patients across the state.
However, a major challenge highlighted by the minister is the continued reliance on traditional or unqualified healers. He expressed concern that many victims delay seeking proper medical treatment by first approaching such practitioners, which often leads to preventable deaths. He urged the public to immediately visit the nearest hospital in case of a snakebite.
To further address the issue, the government has implemented a death audit system. Under this, every snakebite-related death is reviewed under the supervision of district authorities to identify gaps in response and improve future outcomes.
Strict instructions have also been issued to private hospitals to provide immediate life-saving treatment in emergency situations without insisting on upfront payment. The government reiterated its commitment to reducing snakebite fatalities through awareness, timely treatment, and improved healthcare coordination across Karnataka.