Snakebite as a Notifiable Disease

Snakebite as a Notifiable Disease

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has recently declared snakebite envenoming a notifiable disease in India. This move is part of the country's ongoing efforts to address snakebite-related health challenges and reduce fatalities and disabilities caused by venomous snakebites.

What is a Notifiable Disease?

A notifiable disease is one that healthcare providers are legally required to report to public health authorities. The declaration of a disease as "notifiable" enables public health authorities to closely monitor its prevalence, track outbreaks, and intervene in a timely manner to prevent further spread or fatalities. This system of surveillance is vital for public health management.

• Purpose of Reporting: The main goal is to enable timely and appropriate interventions to manage the disease.

• Examples of Other Notifiable Diseases in India:

  • AIDS

  • Hepatitis

  • Dengue

  • Cholera

  • Tuberculosis

This helps in effective tracking and controlling diseases that could pose a serious risk to public health.

Why Declare Snakebite Envenoming a Notifiable Disease?

Snakebite envenoming is a significant health issue, especially in rural areas of India. According to various health studies, India has one of the highest incidences of snakebite cases globally, with thousands of deaths reported annually. By declaring it a notifiable disease, India aims to improve its public health response and reduce the burden caused by snakebites.

Impact of the Declaration:

1. Improved Surveillance: Health authorities will be able to gather more accurate data on the incidence of snakebite cases and the geographic distribution of such incidents.

2. Timely Medical Intervention: This can lead to more timely medical responses in areas where snakebites are common. The declaration will facilitate better treatment and the allocation of resources like antivenoms.

3. Enhanced Public Awareness: The recognition of snakebite envenoming as a notifiable disease may help raise awareness in the public and among healthcare providers, encouraging quicker reporting and more proactive prevention.

4. Data for Policy Planning: By tracking and documenting snakebite cases more effectively, the government will be better equipped to implement targeted healthcare programs in high-risk regions.

National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE)

The National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) was developed with the aim of addressing the growing public health concern of snakebites in India. It outlines various strategies to reduce the number of deaths and disabilities caused by snakebites. One of the key targets is to halve snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by 2030.

Key Goals of NAPSE:

1. Reduce Deaths and Disabilities: The overarching aim is to halve snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by the year 2030. Given that India records thousands of snakebite fatalities every year, this ambitious target is essential to improving public health outcomes.

2. Enhanced Medical Training: The plan emphasizes the need for training healthcare professionals in better handling of snakebite cases, including the correct use of antivenoms and supportive treatments.

3. Accessibility of Antivenoms: Increasing the availability and access to antivenoms, especially in rural and remote areas, is a central focus. This also includes making antivenoms more affordable and ensuring their availability in hospitals and health centers.

4. Strengthening Public Awareness: Increasing awareness among the public about snakebite prevention, first aid practices, and the importance of seeking timely medical help is also an important component of the plan.

5. Strengthening Surveillance and Reporting: The designation of snakebite envenoming as a notifiable disease aligns with this goal, ensuring better data collection and outbreak tracking.

Benefits of Declaring Snakebite Envenoming a Notifiable Disease:

1. Better Data Collection:

   • Enhanced surveillance through mandatory reporting will provide accurate data on the number of cases, the regions most affected, and the types of snakes involved. This will help public health authorities to act more decisively.

2. Focused Healthcare Response:

   • With better data, targeted medical interventions can be rolled out in high-risk areas, including providing adequate stocks of antivenoms and organizing medical camps in vulnerable regions.

3. Resource Allocation:

   • The government can allocate resources more efficiently to prevent and treat snakebites in areas where they are most prevalent, especially in rural and tribal areas.

4. Public Health Awareness:

   • This move will also encourage community-based efforts to tackle snakebite incidents through awareness programs and first-aid training.

5. Reduction in Mortality:

   • The implementation of the NAPSE in combination with the notifiable status can potentially reduce the number of fatalities and long-term disabilities by improving medical responses.

Challenges to Address

1. Accessibility to Medical Treatment:

   • Despite improved surveillance and the availability of antivenoms, there are still regions, especially rural and remote areas, where access to medical care is limited. Improving infrastructure and making antivenoms accessible is a continuing challenge.

2. Training Healthcare Workers:

   • Although the National Action Plan outlines the need for better training, many healthcare workers in rural areas still lack proper knowledge of handling snakebite cases, which affects treatment outcomes.

3. Public Awareness:

   • A lack of awareness about preventive measures, first aid, and timely medical intervention still contributes to high mortality rates from snakebites.

4. Data Gaps:

   • While declaring snakebite envenoming a notifiable disease will improve data collection, there may still be challenges related to underreporting due to lack of awareness or reluctance in reporting, especially in remote areas.

Conclusion

Declaring snakebite envenoming as a notifiable disease is an important step in India's efforts to tackle this longstanding public health issue. It aligns with the objectives of the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) to reduce deaths and disabilities related to snakebites by 2030. With better data collection, improved access to treatment, and greater public awareness, this move has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of snakebites in India. However, challenges such as accessibility to medical treatment, adequate training for healthcare workers, and rural healthcare infrastructure need to be addressed for maximum effectiveness.