All health centres and hospitals in Bangladesh have been instructed to stock anti-venom following a notable increase in snake bites across the country.
Health Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen also urged the public to promptly bring snake bite victims to hospitals.
Rural hospitals in Bangladesh have reported a rise in snake bite cases, particularly from the Russell’s viper, commonly found in South Asia. These incidents have sparked significant discussion on Bangladeshi social media in recent weeks.
The Russell’s viper, attracted to human settlements and farmland where it preys on rodents, is especially active during harvest seasons.
A 2023 study indicated that approximately 7,000 people die annually in Bangladesh due to snake bites. However, timely treatment with anti-venom significantly increases survival rates among victims.
Previously declared extinct in Bangladesh in 2002, the Russell’s viper has since reemerged. Scientists attribute its resurgence to adaptations to varied climate conditions, spreading across more than 25 districts in Bangladesh.
Recognizing snake bites as one of the most neglected tropical diseases, the World Health Organization has prioritized efforts to address this issue.
