ICMR conducts snakebite study in two Odisha districts – Times of India

Bhubaneswar: Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC) Bhubaneswar Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has started a study on snakebite incidence, mortality, morbidity and socio-economic burden in India. Orissa, it’s a part of ICMRCountrywide study on snakebite.
The Council is conducting this first of its kind study in five regions covering 13 states including Odisha. It has chosen Sambalpur from the western part and Cuttack from the eastern part of the state for the study.
belongs to snakebite neglected tropical diseases (NTD). It has been seen that many cases of snakebite are being reported in the country, but there is no concrete data and adequate study in this matter. “However, from this study, we can know about the entire burden of snakebites in the country. It will give a pan-India picture,” said Sanghamitra Pati, director, ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar.
Another ICMR program on ‘Capacity Building of Medical Officers in Snakebite Diagnosis and Management’ is underway in Khurda (Non-Tribal District) and Raigad, a tribal-dominated district. This is also a nationwide programme, the director said.
“In this training programme, medical officers are being taught about the art of managing snakebite cases. They will get more information about diagnosis and treatment of snakebite cases,” the husband said.
Official sources said the study will generate real data on snakebite incidence, mortality, morbidity and socio-economic burden of snakebites in the country. It covers all types of geographical areas like hilly, plain, swampy, desert and coastal and is planned to cover 6.12 percent of the population.
The study will continue till October 2023. It will assist decision makers in policy formulation to prevent and control snakebites in India. The country needs solid data before formulating a policy for the diagnosis, treatment and subsequent detection of snakebite cases.
On an average around 900 deaths per year are due to snakebites in Odisha. Thousands of snakebite cases are reported in India every year. But many victims do not come to the hospital for treatment, sources said.