The Karnataka government has set up the State Action Plan for Prevention & Control of Snake Bite Envenoming (SAPSE) not only to reduce the incidence and severity of snake bites but also to minimize the associated health and economic burdens on affected communities. This is particularly for the vulnerable agricultural communities who have a proximity to snake habitats.
The move follows after the Union government’s launch of the Snake Bite Prevention and Control Programme (SBPC). Snakebites are a major concern in many parts of India, including Karnataka. Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that causes significant suffering, disability, morbidity, and mortality worldwide.
The state has declared snake bite as a notifiable disease and anti snake venom (ASV) has been listed under the Essential Drug List. Effective prevention and control of snake bite envenoming is being achieved through a concerted and coordinated effort involving all stakeholders using a ‘One Health’ approach.
Globally, there are approximately 2,000 species of snakes, with 310 species found in India alone. Out of these, 66 species are venomous and pose a serious threat to human health. The ‘Big Four’ venomous species in India include the Indian Cobra, Common Krait, Russell's Viper, and the Saw-scaled Viper.
Karnataka is home to several region-specific venomous snakes, such as the King Cobra, the Malabar Pit Viper, and the Hump-nosed Pit Viper. The diversity of snake species in Karnataka necessitates action plan to address the challenges posed by snakebite envenomation effectively, said the government officers.
In 2023-24, Karnataka initiated the implementation of the SBPC across all districts under the National Health Mission. The primary aim of this programme is to halve the number of snake bite-induced deaths and disabilities by 2030.
Early this year, as a Notifiable Disease,’ it mandates reporting of every case to facilitate better monitoring and management. Reporting of all snake bite cases and fatalities from both government and private health facilities has been mandated on the Union government’s Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). In 2024, a total of 5,418 cases and 36 snake bite fatalities were reported in IHIP.
The 172 district and taluk hospitals in Karnataka along with a few selected Community Health Centres (CHCs), were identified as Snake Bite Treating Centres. Guidelines are issued delineating roles and responsibilities for the prevention and management of snake bite cases at various levels, starting from ASHA workers to medical officers.
Anti snake venom is made available at all primary health care units and higher government health facilities for prompt treatment which is free across government health facilities and under the AB_ArK scheme for all BPL cardholders, ensuring accessibility and affordability. A 24/7 ambulance service ensures immediate assistance and transportation.
Medical audits by collecting case investigation forms for all snake bite fatalities is being initiated to analyse and improve treatment protocols by a designated team. The health department officers said SAPSE will serve as a guiding document for the governments and healthcare systems, urging relevant stakeholders to take decisive action in addressing this public health challenge.
Towards this end, the SAPSE workshop will develop a strategic framework to reduce snake bite cases and deaths, aligning with global targets to halve deaths and disabilities caused by snake bite envenoming by 2030, said the health department officers.
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