Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Mar 21: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a steady rise in snakebite incidents over the past three years, with cases increasing from 636 in 2022 to 1,243 in 2024, according to data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP).
Alarmingly, the number of deaths due to snakebites in J&K has also risen, with 16 fatalities reported in 2024, compared to 13 in 2023.
In contrast, Ladakh has reported zero snakebite cases and deaths in the last three years, likely due to its high-altitude terrain, which is not a natural habitat for venomous snakes.
The data highlights a 95% rise in snakebite incidents in J&K between 2022 and 2024, raising concerns about public awareness, access to treatment, and the availability of anti-snake venom in the region’s rural and remote areas.
To tackle the growing issue, the Government of India has launched multiple initiatives, including the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), training healthcare workers in snakebite management and emergency care, ensuring availability of Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) at district and sub-district hospitals and public awareness campaigns using booklets, posters, and videos in regional languages to educate communities on snakebite prevention and first aid.
