India's snakebite crisis is killing tens of thousands every year

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete February 2, 2026 at 02:38 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

India is experiencing a significant snakebite crisis, with approximately 50,000 Indians killed by snakebites each year, accounting for roughly half of all deaths worldwide. According to a new report by the Global Snakebite Taskforce, healthcare workers in India face challenges administering antivenom due to poor infrastructure, limited access, and insufficient training. Nearly half of medical professionals surveyed reported that delays in treatment led to serious complications, including amputations and surgeries. The crisis disproportionately affects poor rural communities in low- and middle-income countries. India launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in 2024, aiming to halve snakebite deaths by 2030, but implementation has been inconsistent.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Mumbai 30% Nigeria 40% Chhattisgarh 40% Brazil 40% Indonesia 40% Yogesh Jain 50% National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) 60% Devendra ×370% Global Snakebite Taskforce (GST) ×380% India ×890%

Keywords

snakebite crisis 80% snakebite 80% india 70% poor rural communities 60% antivenom 60% national action plan for prevention and control of snakebite envenoming 50% healthcare 50%