Lohardaga is one of the districts in Jharkhand that sees a sizeable number of snakebite cases, TOI’s KA Gupta speaks to civil surgeon (CS) Lohardaga Dr Shambhu N Choudhary to understand the causes behind snakebites and ways to prevent those. Q: What types of snakes are found in the state?A: Jharkhand is home to a variety of snakes. However, only five out of these are venomous. They are cobra, banded krait, common krait, russel’s viper, and bamboo pit viper. Q: Which season sees the most number of snakebites?A: Cases of snakebite rise many fold during monsoon season as they come out when rainwater enters the underground holes or submerges the trees where they live. They bite when they feel threatened by any voluntary or involuntary act of human beings. Hence, those who go out at night or very early morning are at high risk of coming in close proximity with snakes and being bitten. Farmers, poultry owners, the people who sleep on floor or outside in courtyard are also at high risk. Q: What are the main reasons behind deaths in snakebite cases?A: Out of the 242 admitted in Lohardaga hospitals due to snakebites in 2022, three died. A total of 168 patients were registered in the next year and two died. Meanwhile, 337 patients were recorded in health centres across the district in 2024. Out of this, four could not be saved. We saw 63 patients this year till date. Fortunately, all were saved. Most of the deaths occur as the family members of the patient take the patient to quacks or traditional healers in villages for treatment, losing valuable time. The toxics present in the venom spread across the patient’s body, resulting in the patient’s death. Though the one-hour golden period is crucial for treatment in every case of venomous snakebite, a person bitten by cobra or russel’s viper has two hours while a person bitten by a krait has five to six hours to receive the right treatment. Q: What treatment is given to patients suffering from snakebite?A: The Pasteur Institute of Vaccine at Coonoor produces anti-venom injections against the commonly found venomous snakes in India, including Jharkhand. The treatment provided to patients at govt facilities are in accordance with the WHO protocol of snakebite management, including identification of the snake, immobilisation of the snakebite area, limiting the movement of the patient, and administration of a fixed dose of anti-venom irrespective of the patient’s age and body weight. Supportive treatment and life support management are the main pillars of a timely intervention in cases of snakebites.
