Snake Bite Incidents Double In Six Years

By: Jul 1st, 2017 12:14 am

Himachal This Week

Himachal This WeekMonsoon has almost hit the state and this is the season when most of the snake bite incidents are reported from various parts. Snake bites have claimed many lives in the past if figures are any indication. In fact snake bites have claimed as many as 4,000 lives in last six years. And this figure is increasing with each passing year. The analysis of snake bite figures of last six years reveals that it has jumped to twice in the corresponding period (from 2011 to 2016).

This startling fact was revealed in a 108 National Ambulance Emergency Services survey report on snake bite incidents. The report discloses that 476 snake bite incidents were reported in 2011 in Himachal that almost doubled to 878 in 2016. The snake bites incidents rose to 487 in 2012, to 571 in 2013, to 728 in 2014 to 790 in 2015 and to 878 in 2016. These are the figures of snake bite victims alone who were transported safely to hospital through 108 National Ambulance Emergency Services after primary treatment.

It was also mentioned in the survey report that maximum of snake bite incidents occur from June to November. Out of a total of 4037 snake bite incidents reported in last six years, 54% victims are men while rest 46% are women. 79% of snake bite incidents occurred between 9:00 am in the morning to 11:00 pm in the night. State Head GVK EMRI 108 Mehul Sukumaran told that the life of a snake bite victim could be saved if anti venom injection is given to the patient on time. People should not waste time on jhaad – phoonk etc. medicines countering snake poison remain available in 108 ambulances that are given immediately to the snake bite victim.

Maximum Incidents In Kangra

As per  figures of snake bite incidents, from December 25, 2010 to May 2017, released by 108 National Ambulance Emergency Services, maximum of 905 such incidents were reported in Kangra district while Lahaul Spiti witnessed least two cases in the above said period. In the same time frame, 473 snake bite incidents were reported in Mandi, 467 in Solan, 436 in Hamirpur, 398 in Shimla, 378 in Chamba, 312 in Bilaspur, 279 in Sirmaur, 224 in Una, 135 in Kullu and 28 incidents of snake bites were reported in Kinnaur district in above said time frame. The 108 National Ambulance Emergency Services played a role of helper in all these cases.

First Aid In Case Of Snake Bite

Should you be bitten by a snake, it’s essential to get emergency treatment as quickly as possible. However, there are some tips that you should also keep in mind:

* Call 108 immediately

* Note time of the bite

* Keep calm and still as movement can cause the venom to travel more quickly through the body

* Remove constricting clothing or jewelry because the area surrounding the bite will likely swell

* Don’t allow the victim to walk. Carry or transport them by vehicle

* Do not kill or handle the snake. Take a picture if you can but don’t waste time hunting it down.

How To Identify Snake Bite?

* Two puncture wounds

* Swelling and redness around the wounds

* Pain at the bite site

* Difficult breathing

* Vomiting and nausea

* Blurred vision

* Sweating and salivating

* Numbness in the face and limbs

Himachali Doctor Gives New Lease Of Life

Himachal This Week

Himachal This WeekSeven children from Malawi (Africa) and one from Afghanistan returned their homes happily after getting a new lease of life given by Dr T.S. Mahant, who has successfully operated upon them under Rotary Club of Chandigarh’s project ‘Heartline.’ Dr Mahant who is executive director, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Fortis, Mohali, has done more than 30,000 open heart operations stacked against his name.

Dr. Mahant belongs to district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh said that these children were in the age group of 2-15 years and all were back to their homes with gift of life. Basmina who was only two years old came from Afghanistan. Most of the parents were either farm workers or labourers who never imagined in their dream of getting their children back to normalcy. Thuam Biak Kim, health nurse from Malawi High Commission accompanied the children. With this the number of children whose lives have been saved under the project has gone up to 22 this year.

He further said that under the project started by Rotary Club in 1998, lives of 676 children belonged to Afghanistan, Iraq, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbawe were saved. Dr Mahant also enjoys the distinction of having done heart surgeries ranging from neonates to geriatric, newborns to 90-year-old.


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