Snakebite Problem in India and its Solutions

Snakebites pose an enormous public health concern in India. This problem has gripped our society for many centuries and we have taken different approaches to deal with it based on the technologies that were available at different times. The problem is complex, and it requires persistent engagement with different facets. A lack of focused effort has exacerbated the issue and it has been categorised as a neglected tropical disease. Snake venom is an adaptation that shows a high degree of plasticity within and between species. The venoms have revealed that the inherent variability in the toxin composition is a formidable challenge to overcome for snakebite therapies. The fatalities and morbidities caused by snakebites in the rural population is high and it imposes a large burden on society. The coping mechanisms in urban and rural areas are seemingly different, thereby, the outcomes for snake-human interactions are also different. The talk will highlight that the solutions to the problem clearly require a multi-disciplinary team to engage with it and systematically address the gaps.