Fear of snakes has gripped the country over the past few days, with the Russell's viper (chandrabora) in particular under discussion. Rumours of various kinds are spreading. Faridpur District Awami League sparked controversy by announcing a reward for anyone who could bring in a live Russell's viper, although it later withdrew the announcement.

Figures show that snakebite cases have increased in the district and people are frightened. Doctors, however, say patients can be saved if they reach hospital in time. Most patients are recovering and going home, and hospitals have enough antivenom in stock.

Antivenom injection is the only remedy for a venomous snakebite. Patients' relatives have at times complained that doctors do not want to take the risk of administering the injection, fearing trouble if the patient dies, and sometimes refer patients elsewhere. Many also believe ordinary people do not know about treatment because of a lack of publicity. The district civil surgeon says these complaints are not correct.

Faridpur Civil Surgeon Dr Siddiqur Rahman told Jago News: "It is not a lack of publicity. Mainly, people in rural areas still hold the old belief that a snakebite victim must be taken to an ojha [traditional healer]. So they are late in coming to hospital and treatment is delayed, which increases the risk of death."

"The complaints that doctors are negligent or refer patients elsewhere after they arrive in time are not correct. In a word, patients who reach hospital in time are getting proper treatment. Many patients and relatives are reluctant to take antivenom and do not want to give written consent," he said.

Several snakebite patients were found admitted during visits to hospitals in the district. On Sunday (23 June), Suraiya Akter, 25, a housewife from Char Hariharpur in Charbhadrasan upazila, was bitten by a venomous snake when she went outside to relieve herself. Her family admitted her to the women's ward of Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital, where she recovered after treatment.

Kalpana Rani Mondal, a senior staff nurse on that ward, told Jago News: "We take extra care of snakebite patients. Snakebite cases have risen over the past few days. On average two or three patients come to the hospital every day. A blood test is done as soon as a patient arrives. If the test shows a venomous snake has bitten them, they are given antivenom."

Samira, daughter of Khalek Bepari of Sadipur in Faridpur Sadar, was admitted to ward 8 of the same hospital on 22 June. Another snakebite patient, Falguni, 20, had been admitted there on 20 June. Both were discharged after receiving antivenom and treatment and recovering.

A farmer, Shahidul Mondal, 40, is also being treated in the hospital's male medicine ward. "I was sleeping in a mud house. At night I felt as if a snake had bitten my foot, so I was admitted to hospital for treatment. Now I am well," he said.

Putul Biswas, a senior staff nurse on that ward, told Jago News: "More snakebite patients are being admitted in the morning and at night. Three or four snakebite patients are admitted to this hospital every day."

Dr Ganesh Kumar Agarwala, resident medical officer of Faridpur General Hospital, said: "Snakebite cases have increased over the past few months, but it is not possible to give an exact number. On average two or three patients come to the hospital for treatment every day. No snakebite patient has died at this hospital recently. The hospital has enough antivenom."

Dipak Kumar Biswas, deputy director of Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital, told Jago News: "Along with snakebite cases, fear has increased in the past few days. Many patients go to an ojha instead of coming to hospital. Instead of quack treatment, they must be brought to hospital quickly. The hospital has enough antivenom. Lives can be saved if treatment is given quickly. Doctors are also very careful with snakebite patients."

Dr Sharifunnesa (Jhumur), FCPS (Medicine), medicine specialist and assistant registrar (nephrology) at the same hospital, told Jago News: "Do not panic after a snakebite. Do not move the affected limb. If there is severe pain at the bite, bleeding, drooping eyelids, inability to hold the neck up, numbness in the hands and feet, or breathing difficulty and vomiting, take the patient to hospital without the slightest delay. A bite from a non-venomous snake usually causes only slight pain, swelling or a small wound at the site."

"Do not cut the bite site or tie it tightly, and do not try to suck out blood or venom by mouth. Do not apply cow dung, bean seeds, tar, herbal medicine or any chemical to the bite. Do not give antihistamine injections, burn the bite with chemicals such as carbolic acid, or coat it with plant juices," she said.

She said snakes are generally of two kinds, venomous and non-venomous, and patients are also treated according to their symptoms. "Along with various other symptoms, Russell's viper bites have lately been causing kidney failure, in which case haemodialysis is done. A snakebite patient brought to hospital should first be taken to the emergency department."

"After admission, if a blood test shows the blood has clotted, the snake was not venomous. If the blood does not clot, the snake was venomous and the patient must be given antivenom. The same type of antivenom is given for bites from the Russell's viper, king cobra, cobra and black krait," she said.

Civil Surgeon Dr Siddiqur Rahman said: "Along with other venomous snakes, Russell's vipers are present in the char areas of Faridpur Sadar upazila, Bhanga, Charbhadrasan and Sadarpur. But it is not serious. Everything is still normal. Nothing has happened that should cause panic."

"One person has died in the past month, but it is not known whether it was from a Russell's viper bite. There is no reason to panic, but everyone needs to be careful. No bad situation has arisen. Enough antivenom has been stocked at the district town hospitals and all upazila hospitals. Each of the nine upazilas has antivenom to treat 20-25 people, and this is updated constantly. There is nothing to fear from a snakebite," he said.

He said doctors in the hospitals are also sufficiently aware and sincere.

Faridpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamrul Ahsan Talukder told Jago News: "There is nothing to panic about over the Russell's viper. Still, instead of spreading rumours, everyone must stay aware and careful. Gumboots will soon be given to farmers in the char areas for their safety. Announcements will be made by loudspeaker in various places. All hospitals have been instructed to keep antivenom."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.