Snake bite cases up with rising temperature

Rautahat, August 24

Incidents of snake bite have increased with the rising temperature and monsoon rain in the mid-Tarai of late.

More than 10 snake bite patients have been visiting health facilities in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi and Mahottari districts of the mid-Tarai on a daily basis. The district hospitals have informed that  poisonous snakes such as cobra, krait, sakhar, and dhoriya have been terrifying folks.

At least eight persons died due to snake bite from April to the third week of August in Rautahat alone. The number might be more as there is no proper record of victims who died away from the health facilities, said Emergency Ward In-charge Prabin Jha of Rautahat District Hospital.

As per data with the District Hospital in Rautahat, as many as 170 patients visited the health facility from mid-June to mid-July whereas the number increased to 178 during mid-July to mid-August. It has been reported that two victims died on the way to hospital.

Meanwhile, District Hospital Office Sarlahi informed that around nine snake bite victims visit the health facility each day. Of them, some come from India also, said Emergency Ward In-charge Kishor Kumar Khanal of the health facility.

“We refer some of the patients to Birgunj-based Narayani Sub-regional Hospital for advanced treatment,” said Khanal. At least three persons died of snake bite and a patient was referred to Birgunj-based regional hospital for the advanced treatment during mid-July to mid-August,” he said.

Anti-snake venom also has been in short supply for the past few days in the health facility. More than seven snake bite victims visit the district hospital on a daily basis in Mahottari, according to Dr Girindar Kumar Jha. “We have more anti-snake venom and nobody has succumbed to snake bite so far,” said Jha.

Meanwhile, District Hospital Bara said that as many as 149 snake bite patients were cured in the health facility since mid-April.

Fulgandhi Devi, 18, of Kolabhi died of snake bite while undergoing treatment on July 28, said Public Health monitor of the health facility Bijay Kushwaha.

Raman Jha, Hetauda-based central development regional medical stores’ public health officer, claimed there was enough anti-snake venom and necessary medicine would be dispatched as per the demand.