Mangaluru: A medical researcher and senior clinician issued an important warning highlighting a little-known but dangerous public health risk—envenomation caused by dead snakes.
In his recently published article, he emphasised that even dead or decapitated snakes can still bite and inject venom, sometimes with life-threatening consequences.
The review article, titled ‘Envenomation by Dead Snakes: A Review,’ by Dr Sadanand Naik, cardiologist of Alva’s Health Centre, Moodbidri, was published in Jan in the reputed ‘International Medical Journal Transactions of Royal Society Tropical Medicine Hygiene-2025′.
Dr Naik said that contrary to widespread belief, venom remains potent for hours or even days after a snake dies. In addition, the nerves in a snake’s head and neck can continue to function for some time after death, allowing reflex bites to occur unexpectedly. This risk is particularly high when people handle dead snakes barehanded, attempt to take photos, or keep severed snake heads as trophies.
His review cites real-life cases around the world where mishandling dead snakes resulted in severe injury or death. Victims required emergency anti-venom treatment and intensive medical care after being bitten by what they assumed were harmless, lifeless reptiles.
He strongly urgeg farmers, rural communities, and anyone living in areas where snakes are common to remember: “A dead snake is not a safe snake.” He recommends that people should never touch a dead snake’s head, always use sticks or tools to handle carcasses, and dispose of dead snakes safely away from human and animal contact.
The review pointed out that an estimated 5.4 million people worldwide are bitten by snakes each year, with 1.8–2.7 million cases of envenoming. A total of 81,410 to 1,37,880 people die each year because of snakebites, and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities are caused by snakebites annually.