India's Snakebite Crisis: An Urgent Call for Action

Mon Feb 02 2026 15:20:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As India's snakebite fatalities reach alarming levels, experts express the pressing need for improved healthcare infrastructure and antivenom accessibility.

With an estimated 50,000 deaths annually, India's snakebite crisis poses a severe public health threat. Despite the launch of the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming, challenges remain in healthcare access, training, and antivenom availability. Experts highlight the disproportionate impact on rural communities and call for urgent action to address this neglected tropical disease.

India's Snakebite Crisis: An Urgent Call for Action

In India, an alarming number of approximately 50,000 individuals succumb to snakebites each year, accounting for half of all snakebite fatalities worldwide. This crisis extends beyond numbers; it affects the livelihoods of many rural communities who are at the mercy of limited healthcare resources and infrastructure.

A recent short film featuring Devendra, a farmer who lost a leg to a snakebite, sheds light on the emotional and physical toll of these incidents. I went to the hospital four days after I was bitten when the pain became unbearable. But the delay cost me my leg, he reflects, emphasizing the critical importance of timely medical intervention.

According to the Global Snakebite Taskforce (GST), issues related to administering antivenom—a crucial treatment—afflict 99% of healthcare workers in India. These challenges include poor infrastructure, limited access to antivenom, and insufficient training for healthcare personnel regarding snakebite management.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease, declaring it a priority due to the high mortality and morbidity it causes, particularly among impoverished rural populations. In 2024, India implemented the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) with the objective to halve the death rate from snakebites by 2030.

Despite these measures, experts warn that snakebite fatalities are still viewed as a problem of the poor, leading to a lack of political will and public outcry for effective solutions. Medicinal access issues, reliance on traditional healing practices, and inadequate medical training compound the barriers to effective treatment.

With its significant percentage of snakebite fatalities occurring in rural areas, the lack of swift medical transportation continues to burden victims. For instance, a recent incident highlighted the peril of delayed access when a pregnant woman tragically died after being carried five kilometers to a hospital.

In response, some states are taking proactive steps to stock antivenom in healthcare facilities; however, proper administration remains fraught with issues due to the fear of adverse reactions among health workers. Furthermore, the current antivenom available in India is only effective against a limited number of snake species, leaving gaps in treatment accessibility.

As volunteers and organizations like The Liana Trust work tirelessly to develop antidotes for lesser-known venomous species, a collective commitment from governments and the society is essential. The call to action echoes through expert communities: Political will must translate into efficient healthcare systems, ensuring that no person falls victim to preventable snakebite deaths.