BHUBANESWAR: AIIMS-Bhubaneswar is all set to undertake a study on snakebite deaths in Odisha with an aim to find major causes of human-snake conflict and devise mitigation measures.The department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology will conduct the scientific study in collaboration with ‘Snake Helpline’, a registered organisation engaged in rescue and rehabilitation of snakes in the State.
Initially, the study will be conducted in Bhubaneswar and its periphery and later expanded across the State. Around 400 families will be included in the study.“The study will focus on knowledge, attitude and practice of first aid, treatment and prevention of snakebite among the residents of houses from where a snake is rescued,” said additional professor of the department Dr Sudipta Ranjan Singh.
Volunteers of ‘Snake Helpline’ have been trained by the department for the study. They will collect data from the members of families from where they get call for rescue of snakes.“The study will help analyse the level of awareness among study groups about appropriate first aid methods, prevailing taboos, healthcare seeking behaviour in cases of snakebite and preventive practice to reduce snake intrusion, breeding and bite in domestic premises,” said general secretary of Snake Helpline, Subhendu Mallik.
The WHO has declared snakebite as a neglected tropical disease. It is, however, a major public health issue in Odisha with over 800 fatalities a year. Though definite treatment for snakebite is available, most of the people seek help from traditional healers and report late to hospitals leading to fatalities.