TV
In the last 24 hours, snakebites have claimed four lives in Odisha. This number is in addition to the dozens of cases reported since the start of this month and hundreds recorded since the onset of the monsoon over the state.
With over 1,000 snakebite deaths in one year, Odisha appears helpless in tackling this menace. However, there are several factors that have contributed to these alarming fatalities.
Improper Medical Access Behind Alarming Snakebite Fatalities
On Wednesday night in Keonjhar, a mother-son duo died after being bitten by a snake. They were first taken to the nearest health centre and later shifted to the Anandapur sub-divisional hospital, where they succumbed despite efforts to save them.
The same night in Ganjam, an aunt and her niece met a similar fate, as they were bitten while sleeping at home. Due to non-motorable roads, an ambulance could not reach them, and by the time a private vehicle was arranged, they had already lost their lives.
In both these cases, locals said the lack of an accessible road to the village meant they could not be taken to a hospital in time. All four of them reportedly died due to delays in receiving proper healthcare.
State Data Shows Alarming Mortality Rates
According to government figures, Odisha reported 1,150 snakebite deaths in 2023–24. Further, in the current financial year, the state has already seen 709 fatalities, with Cuttack (162 deaths) recording the highest number, followed by Ganjam (155), Balasore (139), Keonjhar (132) and Sundargarh (102).
The menace is so prevalent that the state government has officially classified snakebite deaths as a form of disaster, making victims’ families eligible for compensation.
Experts Stress ‘Golden Period’ for Survival
Health specialists emphasise that the first three to four hours after snakebite, known as the ‘golden period,’ are critical for survival. During this time, the patient must be transported to a medical facility capable of administering anti-venom treatment. They advise keeping the patient still, avoiding unnecessary movement, and transporting them in a seated position rather than walking them to help slow the spread of venom.
However, in many parts of Odisha, particularly in rural areas, poor lighting and inadequate road connectivity increase exposure risks.
The latest fatalities, which happened where access roads are almost non-existent, have reignited demands for better rural infrastructure and round-the-clock medical preparedness in snakebite-prone regions.
They have also shed light on how inadequate infrastructure could be behind the loss of lives in snakebite cases, even in those where the victims could have been saved.
