The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has taken significant steps to address the growing public health issue posed by snakebites across the country. On November 29, 2024, the ministry officially designated snakebites as a "notifiable disease," necessitating all health facilities to report cases of snakebite and related fatalities. This initiative is part of a more extensive effort to curb the alarming death toll attributed to snake encounters, particularly among vulnerable groups like farmers and tribal communities.
According to official statistics, approximately 50,000 deaths occur annually due to snakebites, with India accounting for about half of the global tally. These figures stem from around 3 to 4 million snakebites reported each year, indicating the scale of the crisis the country is facing. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the gravity of snakebites by stating, "Snakebites are an issue of public health concern and, in certain cases, they cause mortality, morbidity, and disability." The newly implemented regulations call for all government and private health facilities, including medical colleges, to follow strict protocols for notifying suspected and confirmed snakebite incidents using standard formats outlined by the health ministry.
This new requirement for mandatory reporting aims to establish a more effective surveillance system for snakebite cases, which have historically been underreported. The initiative is part of the broader National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), which aspires to halve snakebite-related deaths by the year 2030. The action plan was launched earlier this year and identifies strategic components responsible for managing, controlling, and preventing snakebite incidents throughout the country.
Srivastava emphasized the need to strengthen the existing surveillance systems, saying, "A comprehensive surveillance system is instrumental for accurately tracking snakebite incidents and deaths, providing invaluable data to inform and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions." The ministry aims to utilize this data to understand the accurate burden of snakebites, identify high-risk areas, and determine the factors leading to fatalities among victims.
Among the most common snake species responsible for the majority of bites are the common krait, Indian cobra, Russell's viper, and saw-scaled viper. Remarkably, these snakes account for more than 90 percent of all snakebite incidents reported across India. While polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV) shows effectiveness against these prominent species, achieving adequate treatment availability and accessibility remains challenging due to gaps within the healthcare system. Particularly, there is a pressing concern over the lack of trained medical personnel, healthcare facilities, and overall public awareness about snakebite management and treatment protocols.
The urgency attached to this decision by the health ministry stems from the need to protect and assist those working or living near snake habitats, particularly farmers and populations residing in rural areas. This demographic often encounters snakes during their daily activities, making them susceptible to snakebites. The inclusion of snakebites as a notifiable disease is expected to bolster reporting from hospitals and health facilities, thereby enhancing the overall data collection process.
To make these systemic changes effective, the MoHFW is urging state governments to implement the proposed measures through the relevant provisions of the State Public Health Act or similar legislation. These requirements align with the health ministry's commitment to improving urgent healthcare responses and clinical management for snakebite victims.
By establishing mandatory notifications for snakebites, officials anticipate generating more reliable data on the incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates associated with this public health challenge. Such improvements are likely to assist public health officials and stakeholders to prioritize regions most affected by snakebites, facilitating more precise resources allocation for prevention and treatment initiatives.
This concerted effort also falls under global public health directives aimed at tackling snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease. With collaboration from multiple public health sectors, the initiative seeks to mobilize resources, raise awareness, and promote education about snakebite risks, first-aid measures, and the need for timely medical intervention.
Moving forward, the Indian government’s push for improved disease surveillance will play a pivotal role not only for immediate public health response but also for long-term strategic planning to mitigate the risks associated with snakebites. Enhancing community outreach and health education will be central to achieving the set targets of reducing snakebite fatalities significantly by 2030.
Overall, the designation of snakebites as notifiable diseases signals a reformative shift in public health policy and emphasizes the government's dedication to safeguarding the health of its citizens, particularly those most affected by this long-standing issue.
