Rising Temperatures Bring Increased Risk of Snakebites

As Nepal braces for the onset of warmer temperatures, health officials are sounding alarms over the heightened risk of snakebites. With snakes emerging from brumation, akin to hibernation, in search of sustenance and hydration, experts warn of a potential surge in snakebite incidents.

Dr. Hemanta Chandra Ojha, an official at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, underscores the seasonal pattern of snakebite occurrences, emphasizing the imminent threat as temperatures climb. “Most snakebite incidents occur during spring, summer, and autumn seasons,” Dr. Ojha notes, expressing concerns over the escalating trend observed in recent years.

The issue of snakebites in Nepal, often dubbed as an invisible crisis, remains grossly neglected despite its devastating toll. According to a March 2022 report published in The Lancet, approximately 2,700 individuals, predominantly children and women from Nepal’s Tarai region, succumb to snakebites annually.

Recent data from the Zoonotic and Other Communicable Disease Control Section highlight a worrisome uptick in snakebite incidents, with 1,229 cases recorded in the fiscal year 2022-23, compared to 926 in the preceding year.

Women and children, especially those engaged in outdoor activities or residing in thatched-roof houses, are particularly vulnerable. Dr. Sanjib Kumar Sharma, a snakebite expert, stresses the importance of immediate medical attention following a snakebite, lamenting that approximately 80 percent of victims perish before reaching healthcare facilities.

Despite concerted efforts to raise awareness and strengthen healthcare infrastructure, challenges persist. Limited access to anti-snake venom, inadequate medical facilities, and entrenched cultural beliefs exacerbate the crisis, leading many to seek treatment from traditional healers rather than trained medical professionals.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the World Health Organization has designated snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease, underscoring the need for urgent action in endemic regions like Nepal.

Health ministry officials reaffirm their commitment to reducing snakebite incidents and fatalities by 2030, pledging to intensify efforts to enhance healthcare services and promote public awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating risks associated with snakebites.