Bhairahawa, September 3

Snakebite cases have increased in Tarai-based health facilities of Province 5.

Poisonous snakes such as cobra and krait among others are common in Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Parasi, Dang, Banke and Bardiya districts.

The number of snakebite patients increased after snakes emerged from below the ground following seasonal rainfall.

Snakebite patients visiting Bhairahawa-based Bhim Hospital have been on the rise for the past few days.

Gopal Upadhaya at emergency ward of the hospital said mostly farmers and people from rural areas were frequenting the hospital for treatment on a day-to-day basis.

As many as 1,155 patients received snake antivenom in Bhim Hospital last year. Upadhaya said they have been referring serious patients to Butwal-based Lumbini Zonal Hospital.

Similarly, as many as 1,554 snakebite patients have visited Lumbini Zonal Hospital for treatment since last year.

Medical Recorder Laxmi Raj Regmi in the zonal hospital said of the 1,554 patients, 17 lost their lives during treatment.

Medical Superintendent Dr Bikash Banjade in Taulihawa Hospital, Kapilvastu, said most patients lost their lives untimely as people went after the snakes to kill them, rather than rushing patients to the hospital. “Patients die if treatment gets delayed,” he added.

The Nepali Army established snakebite treatment centres have been providing treatment to patients at Gorusinge, Kadarbetawa and Jawabhari of Kapilvastu. Treatment is also available in District Hospital, Rupandehi; Butwal Regional Hospital, Chandra Hospital, Parashi, Tulsipur of Dang, Nepalgunj of Banke, Guleriya of Bardiya, among others.

Medical Superintendent Dr Ananta Sharma in Parashi Hospital said poisonous snakes mostly found in bushes bit people working in farms and cattle herders, among others. He added that locals visiting shaman to treat patients, tying the spot of the bite with hard clothes, delay in arrival at the hospital, among others were factors that affected patients’ treatment.

Dr Sharma advised that the wound should be cleaned with soap and water and patients be taken to the hospital at the earliest. Those bitten by snakes start to vomit, bleed from the mouth and nose, experience poor visibility and encounter problems with respiration, among other symptoms.