By Maitphang Syiem
Seeing a slithering movement of snakes would definitely frighten us and leave us with an uneasy feeling. Humans in general have contradictory perceptions about snakes, but the nature of snakes is that they are reclusive, cold blooded creatures that are more afraid of us and at all costs would avoid confrontations. However the case of man-animal conflict is a never ending issue. In humans, spotting a snake triggers fear and panic that sends out programs to our brain to kill the snake even if it means no harm to us. However we need to know that these creatures are also protected by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 under various schedules.
Incidents and the outcomes of confrontations with snakes is a neglected subject which is under reported and undocumented. During the pre-independence era Joseph Fayrer a Surgeon General of India firstly documented snake bite deaths in 1869 and accounted for about 11,416 incidents. This is something which we need to carry on in understanding and formulating policies to prevent snake bites. As we read we might question the relation of snake bites and NTD. The WHO classified and re-designated snake bites in Category A as NTD in 2017 for the obvious reason of under reporting. As with the current scenario much of the reports are of verbal autopsies, therefore this presents a challenge and an opportunity to refine such studies.
The wildlife researchers, herpetologists such as Padma Shree Romulus Whitaker, Ashok Captain and many more have done a commendable job in helping to understand about snakes. We should leave no stone unturned to learn from them.
Coming down to the statistics as per WHO estimation globally there are 5.4 million snake bites resulting in 1.8 to 2.7 million envenoming cases and roughly around 81,410 to 1,37,880 deaths with many of the case being reported from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Snake bites in general are related to occupational health hazards. Further more if we go by the geographical context much of the agrarian regions of the world are highly affected as cases have been associated with famers engaged in farming, plantation etc. The tropical, sub-tropical regions undoubtedly are the locations of many snake bite deaths and in particular the South and South East Asia regions which account for 95% of snake bites.
In India as per the Million Death Study (2000-2014) an estimated figure of 1.2 million snake bite deaths from 2000-2019 were reported averaging to about 58,000 per year, If one would look at the National Health Profile 2021 report for the (Jan-Dec 2020) time period India has 1,26,927 cases and 626 deaths where Meghalaya stands at 186 cases and 2 deaths from snake bite. As observed by researchers higher percentage of snake bites occur during the hot monsoon period and lesser during hibernating winter season since snakes are ectotherms or cold blooded creatures that require external heat source for body heat regulation. Snakes usually bask in the sun.
However as mentioned earlier much of the incidences of snake bites are under reported which may have anomalies in the estimated figures. Hence the ongoing initiatives to study snake bites comprehensively by ICMR as reported in the Shillong Times is indeed a noble step. The study will cover five zones consisting of 13 Indian States and 31 Districts of which Meghalaya is included. Such epidemiological based study will definitely help in understanding areas of Meghalaya where incidences are high, to mobilise local capacity building and to formulate effective snake bite preventive policies.
India has a rich biodiversity across the sub-continent. The climatic and topographical setup is such that it makes conducive environment for species propagation. As for the snake species they are ecologically important. There are about 300 odd species out of which 60 are venomous in nature and for the record we do not call a snake “poisonous.” We call it “venomous snake”. By and large in India much of the lethal bites are inflicted by the “Big Four,” namely the Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja), Russell’s Viper (Daboia ruselli), Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) and Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus carinatus). As mentioned earlier, snakes are reclusive, shy reptiles but if provoked they will retaliate lethally. One might question about their venom but their toxicity is a subject of high concern as it is geo-specific and differs from region to region. Based on their toxicity they have Hemotoxins, Neurotoxins, Cardiotoxins, Myotoxins and Cytotoxins and going by the natural way they use it for their self defence and preying. However, cases of snake bite accidents are acts of self defence by snakes as they don’t want to be confronted. Researchers have reported that The “Big Four” are medically potent species as the polyvalent Anti Snake Venom (ASV) are produced by injecting their venom into animals like horses and collecting the serum to produce ASV which comes in liquid and dried form.
So does Meghalaya have the presence of the “Big Four”? No we do not have them but we have other closely related snake species that are equally highly venomous which is something to not fret about though. We need to be aware of this to understand and mitigate snake bite incidents. If we run through the snake database maintained by wildlife conservation organizations, snake species like King Cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah), Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia), Greater Black Krait,( Bungarus niger), Mountain Pit Viper (Ovophis monticola), Banded Krait (Bungarus Fasciatus), and Pope’s Pit Viper (Trimeresurus (Popeia) popeiorum) are found here. Recently a new venomous viper specie was found from Umroi Cantonment and was named as Maya’s Pit Viper (Trimeresurus Maya) after the late mother of an army officer. Apart from the mentioned snake species we have the King Cobra which is the deadliest. A single venomous bite can kill at least 20 people but by nature they hardly attack humans as they are reclusive.
Another concerning matter is that the Monovalent Antivenom (OhMAV) is not available in India; it is only manufactured in Thailand and the usage against the King Cobra Species found in India poses efficacy issues. For all of us to know, the effective way of treating snakebite medically is through the usage of ASV only. However snake bites as an occupational hazard open huge opportunities for research in finding antidotes from the ethno-botanical context too. The Indian Vaidyas have used indigenous approach using herbs, plants leaves, roots etc to treat snake bites. There are a list of plant names that are used for snake bite treatment. We cannot deny that the phytochemicals present in plants have a huge potential to neutralize poisons or venoms but the efficacy of really using it needs to be scientifically tested and medically proven. Meghalaya has bountiful medicinal plant species but just knowing them through folklore and verbal transcriptions is not enough. There is a need for rigorous intensive scientific research. (The writer is a Geo-spatial Expert – [email protected])
In fact, the medical researchers and indigenous practitioners must work in conjunction.
There is indeed a huge awareness gap about snakes and snake bite management. It is imperative to follow published WHO and Indian guidelines. Our youths and students through their Eco Clubs, Communities, NGOs etc should spare no effort in engaging experts for guidance and knowledge on this Neglected Tropical Disease and as envisioned by WHO, let us work together to reduce snake bites by 2030.
(The writer is a Geo-spatial Expert – [email protected])