Snakebite Envenoming

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About Snakebite Envenoming:

It is a life-threatening medical condition caused by venomous snake bites.
It is a major health concern in rural and snake-endemic regions.
It poses a risk to vulnerable populations, including agricultural workers, children, and those living in tropical and subtropical areas.
Snake antivenoms are effective treatments to prevent or reverse most of the harmful effects of snakebite envenoming and are included in the WHO list of essential medicines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised snakebite as a global public health issue and launched a strategy to reduce snakebite-induced deaths and disabilities worldwide.
India’s Action plan
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare earlier this year published the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming.
- The plan aims to halve snakebite deaths by 2030 through a ‘One Health’ approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health interventions.
Advantages of notifiable disease
- By making snakebite a notifiable disease, the Tamil Nadu government aims to improve the collection of vital data, strengthen clinical infrastructure, and ensure the efficient distribution of anti-snake venom.
- This move is expected to lead to better prevention strategies, reduce mortality rates, and enhance treatment facilities across the state.
- Under the new directive, both government and private hospitals are now required to report cases of snakebites and related fatalities to the government.
- This mandatory reporting system will be integrated with the State’s Integrated Health Information Platform under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program.

Q1: What is the World Health Organization (WHO)?

The WHO, established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

Source: Tamil Nadu declares snakebite envenoming a notifiable disease