Maharashtra makes snakebite notifiable disease after 655 deaths in 3 years

Snakebite has been declared a ‘notifiable disease’ in Maharashtra, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced on Tuesday.

Under the new system, government and private hospitals will be required to report every suspected and confirmed snakebite case, along with deaths caused by snakebite, to the Health Department.

The move is aimed at creating a more accurate picture of the state’s snakebite burden and ensuring timely treatment, particularly in rural and remote areas.

The decision comes after the recent deaths of three schoolgirls following snakebites in Gadchiroli.

The government said mandatory reporting would help it collect reliable information on snakebite cases and deaths across Maharashtra. The data is expected to help identify areas with a high incidence of snakebite and improve the availability of treatment facilities.

Hospitals to record anti-snake venom stock

As part of the new reporting system, hospitals will also have to maintain records of anti-snake venom (ASV).

They will be required to record the availability, use and remaining stock of ASV. Details such as the patient’s age, location of the snakebite, symptoms, treatment given and the quantity of anti-snake venom administered will also have to be documented.

District-level nodal officers will monitor reported cases and oversee the implementation of the system.

Maharashtra reports over 1.29 lakh snakebites

According to government data, around 1.29 lakh snakebite cases were reported across Maharashtra between April 2023 and March 2026.

During the same period, 655 deaths were recorded due to snakebite.

The government expects the new surveillance system to provide more detailed and timely information about the disease, helping authorities identify gaps in treatment and preparedness.

Herpetologist Kedar Bhide, founder of the ZeroBites initiative, welcomed the decision, calling it a significant and much-needed public health measure.

Bhide said mandatory reporting would help Maharashtra move from estimates towards a clearer understanding of the actual snakebite burden in the state.

He said reliable data could help identify districts, blocks and vulnerable communities with a high number of cases, allowing health resources to be directed to areas where they are most needed.

Better antivenom planning

According to Bhide, the data could also help authorities plan the distribution and stocking of anti-snake venom, particularly at rural and remote healthcare facilities.

He said the reporting system could identify gaps in preparedness and help authorities provide targeted training to doctors and healthcare workers in areas reporting more snakebite cases.

Bhide added that effective surveillance, adequate anti-snake venom supplies, trained healthcare staff, prevention measures and timely referrals could help reduce preventable deaths and disabilities caused by snakebite.

Data to help shape future health policies

The information collected under the new system is expected to help the Maharashtra government formulate better policies for snakebite prevention and treatment.

It could also assist authorities in planning the availability of anti-snake venom and strengthening healthcare facilities in areas where snakebite cases are more common.

With mandatory reporting now in place, the state hopes to improve its understanding of snakebite patterns and strengthen its response to one of the important public health challenges in rural Maharashtra.