Fear of the venomous Russell's viper has grown in Mirsarai, Chattogram, because of heavy discussion on social media. Since the afternoon of Friday, 21 June, rumours have been spreading from various Facebook accounts that the snake has been seen in the Nazirpara and Baraiyarhat Mehedi Nagar areas of Mirsarai. No truth has been found in them.

The upazila health and livestock departments have put out the message that people should be aware rather than panic about the Russell's viper.

Enquiries found that photos of Russell's vipers are being shared on social media, creating a kind of panic, as they pass from one account to another.

Mirsarai Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Zakirul Farid said: "As far as we know, no Russell's viper has been seen anywhere in Mirsarai upazila. Rumours are being spread about it. So far there is no information on the presence of the Russell's viper in this upazila or of anyone being bitten by one. If anyone sees one, we ask them not to kill it but to inform us or the forest department."

Mirsarai Upazila Health Officer Dr Minhaj Uddin said no Russell's viper had yet been seen in the upazila, so the question of anyone being bitten by one does not arise.

He added that people should be aware, not panic. Because of public fear over the snake, the upazila health department is on alert on the instructions of the Directorate General of Health Services.

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