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New Delhi: Karnataka has seen a considerable increase in snake bite cases in the past few months. This is another problem plaguing the state, apart from the dog menace, which is now increasingly common in other parts of the country, as well.
According to reports, given the increasing urbanisation and growth of concrete houses, snakes are entering residential areas. They are losing their natural surroundings and hence choosing to enter people's homes, experts say.
As more and more snakes enter homes, they come in contact more with humans and consequently the number of snake bites have also increased. In just 10 months, Karnataka reported 18,000 snake bite cases and 125 people have even died due to the same.
In the last 1 week itself, the state saw 152 people being bitten by snakes. Of this 3 lost their lives.
If data from over the years is compared, we find that 950 snake bite cases were reported in 2021, but fortunately there were no deaths due to them that year.Next year in 2022, 3,439 snake bite cases were reported and 17 people died due to the reptile's attack. In 2023, the number of snake bites reported in the state increased to 6,596 and led to the death of 19 people.
Last year Karnataka reported 13,235 snake bites and 95 people died due to it.In 2025 from January to November 2, 18,246 snake bite cases were reported.
Most of the deaths in snake bite cases happen due to lack of treatment. The number of patients who fail to receive treatment is increasing day by day. Therefore, the state has asked all primary health care centres and hospitals in the districts to keep ample stock of medicines required to treat snake bites.
Hospitals need to keep a stock of anti-snake venom and the public in turn has been advised to not ignore any kind of snake bites. They have been asked to visit hospitals and primary healthcare centres to take proper medicines and not resort to any kind of herbal medications. Often people approach hospitals when they are in their final stages and this is what has led to an increase in the deaths due to snake bites.
Experts have said that this is the mating season of snakes and hence they are seen so often crawling on the ground. The people should not disturb snakes or try to catch them, when they see one, they added.
