A man named Ibrahim, 40, was bitten while trying to kick a Russell's viper in Naria, Shariatpur. He is now being treated at the Sadar Hospital.

Dr Konok Jyoti Mondal of the district Sadar Hospital confirmed the matter on Tuesday (25 June) afternoon.

Ibrahim is the son of Md Mukles of Bholahat police station area in Chapainawabganj. He drives a Mahindra for a living.

According to the victim and hospital sources, Ibrahim had come from Chapainawabganj to Naria upazila of Shariatpur for work. On Monday (24 June) night, after eating at his employer's house, the power went off and he was walking along the riverbank near Naria bridge. When he saw a snake he shouted and gathered people. When he then tried to kill the snake with his foot, it bit him on the leg. He killed the snake with a brick lying nearby, tied his leg and rushed to the district Sadar Hospital by motorcycle. After blood tests, the doctor said no venom had entered his body, but he has been admitted and kept under observation.

Ibrahim said: "The snake was a young Russell's viper, so I wanted to kill it with my foot. But it suddenly bit my leg. Then I took off my vest, tied the wound and rushed to hospital. The doctor did a blood test and said the venom could not enter my body."

An eyewitness named Nasir said: "He shouted when he saw the snake. Then when he tried to kill it with his foot himself, it turned and bit his leg. We then brought him to hospital quickly."

Dr Konok Jyoti Mondal of the Sadar Hospital said: "The man was brought to hospital within half an hour of the bite. When he later showed a photo on his mobile phone, we understood the snake was a Russell's viper. But tests found no venom in his blood. He has been kept under observation for now."

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