Maharashtra declares snakebite cases notifiable to curb deaths, boost treatment
In a significant move to address snakebite-related fatalities, the Maharashtra government has declared snakebite deaths a 'notifiable disease'. This means that all government and private hospitals, medical colleges, and practitioners must now report every suspected, probable, or confirmed snakebite case, as well as resulting deaths, to the appropriate health authorities.
The decision, announced by the State Public Health and Family Welfare Department, aims to enable effective monitoring of snakebite incidents, ensure timely treatment, and plan for the availability of Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) in vulnerable regions. Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said, “This decision will enable effective monitoring of snakebite incidents, timely treatment and planning for the availability of Anti-Snake Venom Vaccine (ASV).”
Mr. Abitkar has instructed all health institutions to report every case to the District Health Officer or District Surgeon. This information will be logged into the Health Management Information System (HMIS/DHIS-2), the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), or other designated government reporting systems. The objective is to collect reliable data that can guide preventive measures across the state.
The move follows a tragic incident at a tribal residential ashram school in Japtalai village, Dhanora taluka, Gadchiroli, where six schoolgirls were bitten by snakes, resulting in three deaths. This prompted the Public Health Department to expedite the notification. Health officials noted that snakebite envenomation is a potentially life-threatening condition, and timely diagnosis, proper first aid, immediate hospitalisation, and administration of anti-venom are crucial for survival.
With the notification, the government aims to maintain a scientific record of snakebite incidents and implement targeted prevention strategies. A nodal mechanism has been established from the state to the district level. The Director (Hospitals) at the state level, and District Surgeons and District Health Officers at the district level, will serve as Snakebite Nodal Officers. In municipal areas, the Medical Health Officer or Additional Medical Health Officer will take on this responsibility.
The collected data will assist in planning ASV distribution, particularly in high-incidence areas. Each snakebite patient record must include the date and place of the bite, age and sex of the patient, the condition of the snakebite, symptoms of envenomation, treatment received, number of ASV vials administered, referral details, treatment outcomes, and if applicable, the cause of death. Beyond regular monitoring, authorities will also study the location, circumstances, season, and other relevant factors contributing to snakebites.
“Based on the information, District Health Authority will create awareness about snakebite prevention, prompt reporting, first aid, timely referral services and appropriate treatment,” said Mr. Abitkar. The government believes that this systematic approach will not only reduce snakebite fatalities but also strengthen the overall public health response to medical emergencies in rural and tribal areas, where such incidents are more common.
Public health experts have welcomed the decision, noting that many snakebite deaths go unreported due to a lack of standardised reporting. Making it a notifiable disease will help fill critical gaps in epidemiological data, enabling better allocation of resources and targeted awareness campaigns. The notification underscores Maharashtra's commitment to addressing a neglected tropical health issue that disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities.
As the state implements this new reporting framework, officials are expected to issue detailed guidelines for hospitals and rural health centres in the coming weeks. The focus remains on preventing avoidable deaths and ensuring that every snakebite victim receives timely and effective care.
