India’s Snakebite Crisis: Antivenoms and Lifesaving Solutions

Why in the news?

India’s snakebite crisis claims around 58,000 lives annually. Antivenoms play a crucial role in treating venom, but challenges like rural healthcare access, high costs, and cultural practices hinder effective treatment, requiring urgent improvements in infrastructure and awareness.

India’s Snakebite Crisis: Antivenoms and Lifesaving Solutions

The Snakebite Crisis in India:

  • India, known as the “snakebite capital of the world,” faces around 58,000 fatalities annually due to snakebites.
  • Snake venom contains a deadly mix of haemotoxins, neurotoxins, and cytotoxins that can destroy blood cells, paralyze the nervous system, and damage tissues, making immediate medical intervention

Role and Production of Antivenoms:

  • Antivenoms are critical in neutralizing the venom’s toxins, enabling the body to fight back naturally.
  • Production process: Animals like horses are immunized with small doses of snake venom, allowing them to develop antibodies. These are then extracted, purified, and made into antivenoms.
  • In India, polyvalent antivenoms are produced to target venom from multiple snake species, although their effectiveness against rare species remains limited.

About Snakebite Envenoming and Antivenoms:

  • WHO Classification: Snakebite envenoming is a high-priority neglected tropical disease.
  • Global Impact: 1.8 – 2.7 million people envenomed annually.
  • Snake Bites in India: 90% of bites caused by common krait, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper. Around 58,000 deaths from 3-4 million bites annually.

What are Antivenoms?

  • Definition: Antivenoms are purified antibodies that neutralize venom.
  • Production Process: Horses are injected with venom to produce antibodies; antibodies are collected to treat snakebite victims.
  • WHO List: Antivenoms are included in the WHO Essential Medicines List.

Types of Snake Venom:

  • Haemotoxic: Affects the cardiovascular system.
  • Cytotoxic: Targets specific cells.
  • Neurotoxic: Damages the nervous system.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times