CHITWAN, July 30: Sixteen years ago, Dharma Karki, a resident living near Bharatpur Hospital, lost his wife to a snakebite. At the time, deaths from snake envenomation were common, with many victims failing to reach hospital in time.
Today, Karki, who is active in community awareness campaigns, encourages people to seek immediate medical treatment after a snakebite.
"Snakebite risk is highest during this season. The media should publish more awareness stories," he said.
Bharatpur Hospital remains the region's primary referral centre for snakebite treatment.
Dr. Bijay Paudel, who spent years treating and researching snakebite cases at the hospital before recently retiring, said that in the past, up to 25 percent of patients bitten by venomous snakes died.
Around the fiscal year 2002/03, the hospital treated about 600 snakebite patients annually, of whom roughly 250 had been bitten by venomous snakes. After an intensive care unit was established in 2007/08, the mortality rate fell to around seven percent before declining further to five percent by 2018/19.
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The hospital mainly treats bites from cobras, kraits, Russell's vipers, and pit vipers. Viper bites are particularly common in Nawalparasi.
Dr. Paudel said about 80 percent of snakes that bite humans are non-venomous. He added that venomous snakes are more commonly found in western Chitwan and the Madi area.
Dr. Pramod Paudel, who now leads snakebite treatment at the hospital, said the mortality rate among patients who reach the hospital has now fallen to almost zero. Some years record one or two deaths, while others record none.
During the last fiscal year, no patient died after arriving at the hospital with a snakebite. In the previous fiscal year, one patient died while being transported to the hospital.
Treatment has also become more efficient. While patients once required as many as 200 vials of anti-snake venom, doctors now usually begin treatment with 10 vials and rarely need more than 30.
Over the past fiscal year, Bharatpur Hospital treated 491 snakebite patients in its emergency department.
According to Emergency Department Chief Alauddin Miya, 14 of those patients required intensive care. The highest number of cases was recorded in the month of Shrawan, when 131 snakebite patients sought treatment, including three who were admitted to the ICU.
In Bhadra, 98 patients were treated, with seven requiring intensive care. In Ashwin, 77 patients were treated, including three ICU admissions. Jeth recorded 36 cases, with one ICU admission.
The hospital also treated 50 patients in Kartik, eight in Mangsir, four in Poush, three in Magh, 10 in Falgun, 10 in Chaitra, 31 in Baisakh, and 33 in Asar.
Patients came not only from Chitwan but also from neighbouring districts including Nawalpur, Makwanpur, and Tanahun. Those requiring anti venom are admitted to the ICU for close monitoring and treatment.
Snakebite cases rise sharply during the monsoon and the farming season, when people spend more time outdoors.
According to Dr. Paudel, venomous snakebites can cause abdominal pain, weakness, drooping eyelids, paralysis of the limbs, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. Bites from non-venomous snakes usually result only in local pain and swelling, while bites from green tree snakes can cause excessive bleeding and swelling.
He advised anyone bitten by a snake not to run, walk unnecessarily, or make sudden movements. Instead, the affected limb should be immobilized, a bandage should be applied above the bite to slow blood circulation, and the patient should be taken to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible.
The region is home to several venomous species, including cobras, kraits, and vipers.
