Monsoon worry: Uptick in snakebite cases, 3 lose life in Ludhiana

Manav Mander & Avneet Kaur

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Ludhiana/Jalandhar, July 16

Come monsoon season and it brings loads of problems with it. One among many is that snakes frequently venture into our homes leading to an uptick in snakebite incidents. This season, three deaths have been reported due to snakebites in Ludhiana so far. While trying to escape rainwater, snakes wander into our homes. The Ludhiana Civil Hospital has received 14 snakebite cases in June and 31 in July.

Dr Charankamal, nodal officer of the Civil Hospital Emergency Ward, said three snakebite deaths have been reported in the city. “All three were males, one 11-year-old, one in the age group of 20-30 years and one aged between 40 and 50 years,” he said.

“On an average, we are witnessing two snakebite cases daily this month. One should immediately seek medical help after snakebite. The hospital has sufficient stock of anti-venom vials in Emergency,” added Dr Charankamal.

Jaswant Singh, Forest Range Officer (Wildlife), said three types of snakes were mostly found here — rat snake, common krait and cobra. “Sometimes we receive calls from the people and many times through departments like the police and the municipal corporation complaining about a snake in a locality. We have proper equipment for catching snakes,” he said.

If anybody spots a snake in and around their house in Ludhiana, they can contact forest and wildlife helpline at 18001802323, said another Forest Range Officer (Wildlife). It is mostly the common krait and cobra behind the snakebite cases. “Common krait is a silent killer and it is nocturnal and incidents occur mostly at night. Generally little or no pain occurs from their bites, which provide false reassurance to the victim,” he added.

Some snakes have neurotoxic venom, which harm the nervous system, while others had hemotoxic venom, which hit cardiovascular system.

“Snakes are drawn to areas that provide shelter and potential food sources. Tall grass, overgrown vegetation and piles of leaves or debris create ideal hiding spots for snakes. Regularly mowing your lawn, trimming bushes and shrubs in and around your house and removing clutter will make the place less attractive for snakes,” he added.

Meanwhile, with one fatality already reported last month in Jalandhar, the number of snakebite incidents in Doaba is rising sharply. The Civil Hospital in Jalandhar has been treating patients not only from within Jalandhar but also from nearby villages and towns, including Kartarpur, Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, and Kapurthala.

According to information procured from the Civil Hospital, nine snakebite cases have been reported in July alone. Of these, four patients have been discharged, while five are still receiving treatment in the trauma centre. Since January, a total of 57 snakebite cases have been reported till date, compared to 250 cases reported last year.

The recent snakebite victims hail from Kang Sahbu in Nakodar, Jandu Singha in Jalandhar, Nawan Pind in Jalandhar, and Kartarpur, among other areas. Hospital staff indicated that most patients were bitten by Russell’s vipers, common kraits and cobras.

Civil Surgeon Jagdeep Chawla said snakebite cases tend to increase during the rainy season as reptiles seek dry, safe places after their holes fill with water. In their search for refuge, snakes often enter homes and fields, posing significant danger to humans.

He said in anticipation of this seasonal surge, the Civil Hospital has already secured over 1,000 doses of anti-venom from Verka in Amritsar. “The hospital staff has been placed on high alert to ensure timely treatment for all snakebite victims,” he added.

Rain to blame

Snakebite cases tend to increase during the rainy season as reptiles seek dry, safer places after their holes fill with water. In their search for refuge, snakes often enter homes and fields, posing significant danger to humans

Two cases daily

On an average, we are witnessing two snakebite cases daily this month. One should immediately seek medical help after snakebite. The hospital has sufficiant stock of anti-venom vials in Emergency. — Dr Charankamal, nodel officer