Snakebite Deaths in India Account for Nearly Half of Global Fatalities, New Report Highlights Gaps in Care

New Delhi. Federal government statistics in India show that around 50,000 people die every year due to snakebites. This accounts for nearly half of the snakebite deaths worldwide. Some studies estimate that nearly 1.2 million people died in India between 2000 and 2019.

A new report from the Global Snakebite Taskforce indicates that 99% of healthcare workers in India face difficulties administering antivenom. The survey identified poor infrastructure, drug shortages, and insufficient training as the main problems. Delays in treatment often lead to many patients requiring limb amputation, surgery, or suffering lifelong disability.

The World Health Organization has declared snakebite a high-priority neglected tropical disease. Globally, about 5.4 million people are affected by snakebites annually, resulting in over 100,000 deaths.

The report states that the risk is higher in the central and eastern regions of India, with farmers and poor tribal communities being the most affected. Experts note that although India launched a national action plan in 2024 with the goal of halving snakebite deaths by 2030, implementation remains uneven.