Why Karnataka tops snakebite cases and what to do

Bengaluru

In deaths due to snake bites, Karnataka has led the country for two years in a row. In 2025 alone, there were 106 deaths from snakebites in the state. Mohan, a snake rescuer, said that the figures reflect the failure of the government to prevent them. The problem also lies with awareness and education of the masses, he said. “In the jungles of Karnataka, we have the big four, the Indian Cobra, Common Krait, Russell's Viper and Saw-scaled Viper. In Karnataka if we give awareness, they are not ready to accept it.

People think whatever they know is right. They will also go to local healers instead of hospitals, where they can get proper treatment. This is why there are more bites,” said Mohan. He also pointed out that Forest Department officials do not handle the snakes themselves, but call snake rescuers like him to deal with it. While snakes have had a long association with humans in the country, in recent times, human settlements stretching into the wild habitats have also seemed to increase their probability.

“If you look at the city’s growth and development, what is happening is mostly it is becoming common in peri-urban areas and fringe areas and different types of environments. Where will the wildlife go? Unfortunately humans are going to disturb these areas. While the wetlands and grasslands and lakes have now been converted, around these ecosystems people grow crops. Now they are also encountering these animals. They have no other way to enter into these lands. The people there are being bitten by snakes,” said Akshay Heblikar of Eco-Watch.

With the instances of snake bites at such a level, people must be prepared to follow the prescribed procedures in the unfortunate event that the snake bites. Many people are too scared and enter into a state where they lose hope to go get treated, according to wildlife expert Joseph Hoover.
“There are a few aspects to why the number of deaths are more in Karnataka.  One is, people don't know the differentiation between a cobra, a Russell's viper, a common krait and a star-scaled viper. Another aspect is the fear psychosis, even if it's a rat snake or other non-venomous snakes bites you, you get scared, out of fear itself you die. 

You think you have been bitten by a dangerous thing, so out of fear people die,” Hoover said. So what should a person do if they are bitten by a snake? Dr. Ashray V, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital shared his advice. “If a person is bitten by a snake, they should immediately report to the nearest hospital for appropriate assessment to determine if it is a poisonous or non-poisonous snake bite. 

Local and home remedies are to be avoided and nothing should be applied over the bite area as it increases the chance of developing an infection. Cutting the skin over the affected area should be avoided,” he said. According to Dr. Krithika Ganesh of the Pocket Family Clinic, smaller clinics are not able to help in such cases as they need to monitor the patient's vitals while administering the medicine. Such clinics do not have antivenoms either. Her advice was to go to a hospital with an emergency unit, they will be equipped to handle snake bite cases.