Snakebites, a matter of grave concern: Expert

Nagpur: Though there is much talk of man-animal conflict in which many lives are lost, snakebite is a matter of grave concern as it results into the deaths of thousands of people for which there is an urgent need to take corrective steps, said Priyanka Kadam, president and founder of Snakebite Healing and Education Society (SHE) at Van Sabhagruh, Seminary Hills, on Monday.
In a presentation-based workshop organized by the state forest department and SHE to create awareness, Kadam said snakebite is number one killer as over 50,000 lives are lost due to poisonous sting and lack of timely treatment. This is alarming and people have to be extra-cautious to avoid such incidences, she added.
She showed in a video the dos and don’ts and shared tips which people should follow to avoid snakebite. Cobra, common krait, Russsel’s viper and saw-scaled viper are the most dangerous snakes whose bite causes death. Victims of snakebite show symptoms more or less similar in nature which can be identified, she said.
Kadam said people living in rural areas are more susceptible to snakebites and therefore should always keep a torch with them while moving in jungles after the sunset, wear shoes and control rodents as those are the common prey of snakes. Use of wire mesh or mosquito nets, not keeping the house in dark and sleeping on an elevated bed can help prevent snakebite, she said.
Kadam said, “Snakebites are turning out to be quite common in the country, leading to severe problems and deaths. People usually avoid taking precautions and proper medication which leads to a certain death. This can be avoided if people remain alert.”
Parag Dandge, a wildlife expert, gave valuable information about snakebites and preventive measures.