Karnataka sees sharp rise in snakebite incidents in 2024 with 13,235 cases, 101 deaths: Report
Bengaluru: Karnataka has witnessed an alarming increase in snakebite incidents and fatalities, with recorded cases rising from 6,596 and 19 deaths in 2023 to 13,235 cases and 101 deaths in 2024.
According to data from the state's Health Department, as cited by The Hindu, there have already been 415 snakebite cases and three deaths between January 1 and 18 this year.
As per data from the state’s Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, as cited by the news outlet, Hassan recorded the highest number of snakebite cases in Karnataka in 2024, with 850 incidents, followed by Chickballapur and Mysuru, which reported 813 and 790 cases, respectively. The highest number of snakebite deaths occurred in Tumakuru, with nine fatalities, followed by Koppal and Kalaburagi, each reporting eight deaths, and Bagalkot and Shivamogga, which had six deaths each.
The state declared snakebite deaths and cases as notifiable under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, in February 2024. As a result, the Health Department in the state mandated that all hospitals, including private facilities, and medical colleges enter all snakebite cases and deaths on the IHIP portal.
Ansar Ahmed, state Project Director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, stated that making snakebites notifiable had led to better surveillance. “It has resulted in better monitoring, response, and mitigating the effects of snakebites, which have long posed a severe public health concern, especially in the tribal and rural areas,” Ahmed told The Hindu.
He also assured that the state has an adequate stock of anti-venom, with 60,000 vials available across health facilities, adding that it should ideally be administered within six hours of the bite.
Ahmed also mentioned that ANMs and ASHA workers have been trained in the proper handling of snakebite cases, ensuring that patients are quickly shifted to the nearest health facility for treatment. Furthermore, the doctor highlighted that they have intensified their public awareness, information, education, and communication campaign.
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Opposition members stage walkout from Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): Opposition members led by the Congress on Thursday staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha protesting against the alleged attack on Catholic priests in Jabalpur.
Soon after the House met for the day, the Opposition members sought to raise the issue and some of them stood in the aisle raising slogans.
They demanded a discussion on the issue.
Speaker Om Birla did not allow them and after raising slogans, they staged a walkout from the House.
