Rainy season sees rise in snakebite incidents
Avneet Kaur
Jalandhar, July 25
The Doaba region is witnessing a rise in cases of snakebite, with a fatality already reported last month. The Civil Hospital in Jalandhar is currently overwhelmed with patients, not only from the city, but also from nearby towns and villages such as Shahkot, Nakodar, Kartarpur, Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Nawanshahr and Kapurthala.
Advisory by doctor
Any person who has been bitten by a snake should seek immediate medical help. A pressure-immobilisation bandage is recommended for anyone bitten by a snake.
In July alone, 22 cases of snakebite have been reported at the Civil Hospital, including two cases yesterday. Of these, nine patients are undergoing treatment at the trauma centre, with four being in critical condition, lying on ventilator support. Since January, a total of 70 cases have been recorded, resulting in three fatalities.
The rainy season and intermittent spells of shower which has covered the region are being blamed for the spike in incidents. The increased greenery and waterlogged areas drive snakes out of their natural habitat in search of dry and safe places, often leading them into human dwellings and fields.
Recent snakebite victims come from various parts of Jalandhar, including the Dasehra ground and villages like Randhawa Masanda, Shahkot, Kang Sahbu in Nakodar, Jandu Singha and Nawan Pind, as well as from Kartarpur. Patients from Nawanshahr and Kapurthala are also being treated.
The hospital staff say that most victims were bitten by russell’s viper, common krait and cobras. They emphasise that the rainy season typically sees an uptick in snakebite cases as the reptiles stay away from waterlogged areas.
“Any person who has been bitten by a snake should seek immediate medical help. A pressure-immobilisation bandage is recommended for anyone bitten by a snake,” advised the hospital staff.
They further said many times, patients require five to eight doses of anti-venom serum. “Currently, the hospital has stocked 1,500 anti-snake venom vaccines. We urge residents to bring snakebite victims to the hospital immediately and avoid relying on witchcraft. The delay in treatment can lead to respiratory issues and vision problems, eventually necessitating ventilator support.”
Officials at the Civil Hospital said teams had been put on alert and prepared to handle the increased influx of snakebite cases and urged the residents, especially those residing near fields or parks, to take preventive measures and seek prompt medical attention in case of an encounter with snakes.
