India's Ongoing Snakebite Crisis: A Call for Urgent Action

Mon Feb 02 2026 15:53:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With roughly 50,000 snakebite fatalities annually, India's crisis confronts vulnerable rural communities. Experts are calling for better healthcare infrastructure and targeted antivenom research to address this neglected tropical disease.

India faces a critical snakebite crisis, resulting in around 50,000 deaths each year. Poor rural infrastructures hinder timely medical responses, while inadequate access to antivenom exacerbates the problem. Recent government initiatives seek to combat this issue, but significant challenges remain in implementation and accessibility. Experts urge increased awareness, training for healthcare workers, and targeted antidote research to effectively address the crisis.

Devendra, a farmer in India, recalls the moment he was bitten by a snake while picking mulberry leaves. I went to the hospital four days after I was bitten, when the pain became unbearable. But the delay cost me my leg, he shares in a short film released by the Global Snakebite Taskforce (GST), which aims to reduce deaths and injuries from snakebites.

Despite surviving, Devendra is one of the fortunate few. According to the federal government, about 50,000 Indians die from snakebites every year, accounting for nearly half of the global death toll. Some estimates suggest even higher numbers; between 2000 and 2019, India may have experienced as many as 1.2 million deaths, averaging 58,000 annually.

A recent GST report reveals that 99% of healthcare workers in India face significant challenges in administering life-saving antivenom. A survey of 904 medical professionals across snakebite-prone countries like India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Nigeria unveiled barriers such as poor infrastructure, limited antivenom access, and insufficient training.

Nearly half of those surveyed reported delays in treatment leading to severe complications among patients, including amputations and lifelong disabilities.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated snakebite envenoming as a high-priority neglected tropical disease in 2017, with an estimated 5.4 million snakebites globally and over 100,000 fatalities each year. The burden is disproportionately felt in low- and middle-income countries, particularly rural communities.

Dr. Yogesh Jain, a GST member, highlights the concentration of snakebite-related deaths in India’s central and eastern regions, primarily affecting farmers and impoverished tribal communities. In response to the crisis, India established the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in 2024, with a goal to halve snakebite deaths by 2030. The initiative aims to enhance surveillance, antivenom availability, medical capacity, and public awareness.

Despite these efforts, inconsistencies in implementation persist. Dr. Jain notes that snakebites are often perceived as a problem for the poor, resulting in a lack of urgency and action against these preventable deaths. Timeliness is critical; snake venom can cause irreversible damage quickly, and treatment delays can lead to dire consequences.

Rural healthcare systems are struggling, with inadequate transportation and lack of resources often hindering access to timely care. In some cases, patients have died due to transportation challenges, as exemplified by a tragic incident where a pregnant woman died in transit to a hospital that was inaccessible by vehicle.

Furthermore, many healthcare workers are untrained or hesitant to administer antivenom due to fears of potential adverse reactions, compounding the issue. While steps are being taken to stock antivenom in rural health centers, effective administration remains a critical challenge.

Despite existing antivenom solutions for the 'big four' snakes responsible for most bites, many other venomous species lack targeted treatments. The Liana Trust is currently researching alternative antivenoms but finds the process labor-intensive and slow.

Gerry Martin from The Liana Trust emphasizes the need for local health systems to report snakebites as notifiable diseases to ensure better tracking and response. Together with experts like Dr. Jain, he advocates for improved healthcare for all, insisting that governments must prioritize rural healthcare to save lives.