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A retrospective study of the epidemiological and clinical profile of snakebites in an aspirational district of Karnataka

Dodda Basava Janekunte,Ravindranath Mavinkatti,Chandan Nagendraswamy,Arti Birajdar,Josna Johnson,K. M. Karun,P. Vastrad,Manish Barvaliya

Published 2025 in Porto Biomedical Journal

ABSTRACT

Abstract Background: Snakebite envenoming is a critical public health issue, recognized as the second-deadliest neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. In India, it accounts for an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 deaths annually, exacerbated by reliance on traditional remedies and underreporting of fatalities. This retrospective study analyzes the epidemiological and clinical profiles of snakebite cases at a secondary care hospital in Karnataka. Methods: Snakebite cases reported from January 2020 to April 2023 were analyzed. Data on demographics, clinical manifestations, treatments, complications, and outcomes were collected using case record forms. Descriptive statistics were applied using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. Results: A total of 366 snakebite cases were reported, of which 121 (33.1%) were classified as venomous bites. The common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) was the most frequently identified species. The mean age of victims was 29.50 ± 14.62 years, and men (58.2%) were more frequently affected. Most bites occurred in the morning (51.9%), and 33.3% of victims sought traditional treatment before arriving at the hospital. Among all cases, 78.4% showed improvement, 16.7% were referred to higher centers, 3.3% left against medical advice, and 1.6% succumbed to complications. Conclusions: Snakebite remains a major public health concern in India, particularly among young males. Neurotoxic envenoming, predominantly due to the common krait, was most common in this study area. The frequent use of traditional medicine before seeking medical care underscores the need for community education and early referral to health care facilities. Strengthening awareness, timely administration of antisnake venom, and improved documentation are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality from snakebites.

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