Snakebite Envenoming

11.11.2024

Snakebite Envenoming

Why in the news?   

Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has officially declared snakebite envenomation as a notifiable disease under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939.

About Snakebite Envenoming:

• It is a life-threatening medical condition caused by venomous snake bites.
• It is a major health concern in rural and snake-endemic regions.
• It poses a risk to vulnerable populations, including agricultural workers, children, and those living in tropical and subtropical areas.
• Snake antivenoms are effective treatments to prevent or reverse most of the harmful effects of snakebite envenoming and are included in the WHO list of essential medicines.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised snakebite as a global public health issue and launched a strategy to reduce snakebite-induced deaths and disabilities worldwide.

India’s Action plan

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare earlier this year published the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming.
• The plan aims to halve snakebite deaths by 2030 through a ‘One Health’ approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health interventions.

Advantages of notifiable disease:

• By making snakebite a notifiable disease, the Tamil Nadu government aims to improve the collection of vital data, strengthen clinical infrastructure, and ensure the efficient distribution of anti-snake venom.
• This move is expected to lead to better prevention strategies, reduce mortality rates, and enhance treatment facilities across the state.
• Under the new directive, both government and private hospitals are now required to report cases of snakebites and related fatalities to the government.
• This mandatory reporting system will be integrated with the State’s Integrated Health Information Platform under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program.

                                                                Source: The Hindu

Consider the following statements regarding the Snakebite envenoming:

1. It is a life-threatening medical condition caused by venomous snake bites.

2. It was declared as a notifiable disease by the Tamil Nadu government.

3.It is a minor health concern in rural and snake-endemic regions.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer B