109 snakebite cases since May, one dies in Jalandhar

Amid the early onset on monsoon this year, there has been a sharp rise in the number of snakebite cases being reported in Jalandhar this year. As many as 126 cases of snakebite have been reported in 2025, of which over a 109 cases reported in the past three months alone.

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As many as 21 cases of snakebite were reported in May, 62 were in June and 26 cases have been reported (last patient reported last night) in the first 12 days of July alone. One person has also died in Jalandhar from a snake bite three days ago. Majority of the cases are rural.

Until June, 100 snakebite cases were reported, of which 55 were in rural area and 44 in urban. Compared to this, last year, until July 25, only 70 cases of snakebite had been reported in the district - of which 22 were reported in July. The increase in cases has begun from May onwards and peaked in June with July also witnessing 2 to 4 cases on an average per day.

Department sources said bites from the common krait and cobra are most common, occasionally bites from the pit viper are also reported. Snakebite patients from Phillaur, Nakodar, Shahkot, Begowal, Bhogpur, and in urban areas from Basti Danishmandan and Peerdaad as well as industrial areas are flooding the the Civil Hospital.

The case of a 45-year-old resident of Randhawa Masandan village, Jalandhar, reported to the Civil Hospital 24 hours after the snakebite. He had a cardiac arrest moments after he was brought.

A week ago, a 60-year-old woman from Saifabad in Phillaur was bitten by a snake while she was sleeping. At least four persons undergo treatment at the Civil Hospital. Two are serious and are on ventilators. With the arrival of the paddy harvest season, the snakebite cases are expected to further increase in the region.

Medical officer and anasthesiologist Dr Kamlesh said, "During the paddy season, many farmers sleep in the fields at night to water crops hence majority of the cases come from villages. We also request people to come immediately after the bite and not to wait for symptoms as it could be fatal. Sizeable number of patients have been critical.”

Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, Dr Rajkumar Baddhan said, "Due to monsoon arriving early, there has been an increase in the number of snakebite cases. The paddy season coinciding with monsoon has also given a rise to such cases. Many patients are also being reported with neurotoxins (fatal snakebites). We have adequate anti-venom to treat our patients."