Rural women form bulk of snake bite victims

Varanasi, July 29 (UNI) Women living in mud dwellings of rural areas are the worst victims of snake bites, cases of which are on the rise in Varanasi and adjoining districts due to monsoon.

A total of 244 cases of snake bites have been reported at the St Joseph Snake Bite Treatment Centre in Christnagar (Varanasi) upto July 26, 2006, a figure which was expected to rise sharply, in the light of 15 to 20 cases being reported daily, Centre in-charge Nirmal said here yesterday.

Women, especially those living in mud dwellings in rural areas formed the bulk of victims of snake bites. ''75 per cent snake bite victims are women followed by children,'' Dr Nirmal maintained.

Cases of snake bite are reported mostly in four monsoon months June to September, when downpour forces the snakes to search for safer places in warm places like store houses, shelves and other dark places inside mud dwellings in rural areas, he added.

''Since the women are the ones who work in places where snakes build their hideouts, they are the worst victims of snake bites,'' Dr Nirmal added.

Outlining further, the role of monsoon in cases of snake bite, Dr Nirmal said only 776 cases of snake bite were reported at the Centre in 2003, the year when the monsoon activity was very weak.

Heavy raoms in following years saw rise in snake bites, with 1,174 and 1,382 cases being reported in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

The data at the District Hospital also supports the development with as many 57 snake bite victims turning at the hospital in 2004, followed by 74 in 2005. This year, though, the number had reached 33 upto July 26 only.

Throwing light further on snake bites, Dr Nirmal said primarily there are three poisonous snakes active in the region, including Cobra, Krait and Viper. At least 75 per cent of cases related to the bite of Krait, 20 per cent were caused by Viper and remaining five per cent by the Cobra, he added.

Claiming that treatment within two hours from the snake bite was likely to save the patient's life, Mr Nirmal said timely first aid and health awareness could limit the damage of snake bites. The ultimate treatment for snake bite is the anti-venom vaccines, which are available free of cost at the District Hospital and priced at Rs 200 to Rs 300 in medicine shops, he added.

Since the health centre has limited resources, those patients in whom the neuro-pyretic or hemolytic symptoms started developing due to delay in reaching the centre were referred to the big hospitals in the city, including the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and District Hospital, he said.

Besides, the venomous snakes non-posionous snakes including Water snakes and rat snakes were also active in the region.

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