Government hospitals in the city have enough stock of the anti-venom that is administered to snakebite victims.
A quick check by The Hindu revealed that the three major government hospitals — Victoria Hospital, Lady Curzon and Bowring Hospital, and K.C. General Hospital — were well-stocked. The number of snakebite cases at these hospitals is also on the rise, with all three receiving at least two in the past week.
Ravindra K.R., associate professor (general medicine), Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, said that on average, a snakebite victim requires 20 vials of anti-venom. “Anti-venom should ideally be administered within six hours of the snakebite. The mortality rate is high among children, as their body mass is less,” he said.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health centres and hospitals across the city used to stock anti-venom but returned them to the government nearly two years ago. Lokesh M.N., chief health officer (public health), BBMP, said anti-venom can be administered only in an ICU setup with strict monitoring. “The BBMP health centres and hospitals do not have the infrastructure for this,” he said.
Dr. Lokesh added that if any snakebite victim approaches a BBMP health centre or hospital, the doctors there would administer first aid and refer the patient to the nearest hospital.
Why they are slithering out
Over the past week, wildlife volunteers have rescued five snakelets from a water sump in HRBR Layout, 25 from OMBR Layout, and a cobra from the premises of the Regional Passport Office in Koramangala. Snakes have also been rescued from football stadiums in Ashok Nagar and M.G. Road.
It appears the number of snakes slithering into homes and workplaces is on the rise. According to volunteers working with the BBMP’s wildlife cell, they receive about 50 calls every day from panicked citizens about snake sightings.
The sightings usually increase during the monsoon months as it is the egg hatching period. “The cobra’s mating period is December-January and the eggs are laid in February-March. The hatching starts, usually following a good spell of rain, during May and June,” said Mohan K. of the Quick Animal Rescue Team.
He said that during monsoon, the ectothermic reptiles come out looking for warmth. “Usually, the eggs are laid in vacant sites and drains. When the weather gets cold, the snakes and snakelets look for warmth and can be found hiding in two-wheelers, car hoods, garages and even toilets,” he said.
Mr. Mohan also said a major cause for snakes coming out of their nests is the BBMP clearing dense shrubbery on vacant sites and removing silt from storm-water drains. When it rains, the snakes can get disturbed because of the flowing rainwater — another reason for them to come out of their nest or hiding place.
He suggested that citizens maintain calm and contact the volunteers if they come across snakes. “Do not disturb the snake if you find one inside your home or office. Snakes have short-term memory and release pheromones. They can exit the premises on their own, if not disturbed, by tracking the pheromones they have released,” he said.
