Tue Jan 28 18:00:16 UTC 2025: **Assam Snakebites: Delayed Treatment and Lack of Awareness Fuel Public Health Crisis**
GUWAHATI, ASSAM – Delayed medical treatment and a lack of awareness regarding proper first aid are contributing to a significant public health crisis in Assam due to snakebites, experts warn. While Assam doesn’t rank among the top five Indian states for snakebite envenomings (according to a 2020 study), 36 deaths were recorded in 2024 alone, with an estimated 35,000 cases reported annually.
A recent workshop, organized by the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department, highlighted the issue. Participants, including forest officials and nature enthusiasts, learned advanced snake rescue techniques, first aid, and community engagement strategies. Experts emphasized the role of Assam’s biodiversity, home to highly venomous snakes like the king cobra and banded krait, in contributing to the fatalities. The monsoon season sees a surge in human-snake encounters.
The workshop aimed to create a network of trained individuals to minimize future deaths. Experts stressed the need for improved public awareness and faster access to medical care as crucial steps in tackling this growing problem.
First Piper 