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The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kerala drags feet on snakebite surveillance; yet to declare snakebites as notifiable disease despite Centre's directive
Eight months after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed all States to classify snakebite envenomation as a notifiable disease, the Kerala government is yet to implement the required measures. The delay, experts warn, could seriously undermine the State's ambitious goal of eliminating snakebite fatalities within the next five years. In November 2024, the Centre had issued a directive to all States under the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming from India by 2030 (NAPSE). Emphasising the need for a robust surveillance system, the plan highlighted mandatory notification of snakebite cases as crucial for accurately tracking incidents, evaluating interventions and identifying high-risk areas. While several States, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Odisha, have already acted on the directive, Kerala is still in the process of navigating bureaucratic hurdles. According to official sources in the Kerala Health department, a proposal to declare snakebites as a notifiable disease under the Kerala Public Health Act was submitted months ago, but has yet to receive final clearance from the Law department. Officials in the Forest department said this delay is impeding crucial mitigation strategies, particularly the identification of snakebite hotspots and the distribution of life-saving anti-snake venom (ASV). 'A heat map was prepared based on 34 snakebite deaths reported during 2024–25. But mapping hotspots solely using death locations is neither scientific nor foolproof,' a Forest department official said. He added: 'To anticipate snakebite patterns and respond effectively, we need data on all bite cases, not just fatalities. That requires a centralised reporting mechanism that only a notifiable status can enforce.' Reliable data is also crucial to ensure adequate ASV supply in health centres and regularly review preparedness. Seasonal and species variations must also be accounted for in planning, the official noted, pointing to snakebite trends that typically peak from September to December during the snake breeding season. Assistant Conservator of Forests and SARPA (Snake Awareness Rescue and Protection App) State nodal officer T. Mohammed Anwar pointed out that Kerala records around 30 snakebite deaths annually, with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 envenomation cases every year. 'Snakebite is responsible for the majority of wildlife-related human casualties in the State. Notably, all four of the 'Big Four' venomous snakes, viz., the Indian cobra, Russell's viper, common krait and Indian saw-scaled viper, are present in Kerala,' he said. The SARPA app, launched in August 2020, has logged over 58000 snake sightings and rescues, considerably bringing down snakebite deaths from 123 in 2018-19 to 34 in 2024-25. But without integration with a State-level surveillance system that mandates reporting of bite cases, its potential remains underutilised, officials lament.
News18
12-06-2025
- Health
- News18
Planning To Include Snakebite As Notifiable Disease Under Public Health Act, State Tells Kerala HC
Last Updated: After an unfortunate incident in 2019, wherein a young student had succumbed to a snakebite, the high court took suo motu cognizance of the lack of medical facilities to treat them The Kerala High Court has been informed that the government is thinking of notifying snakebite as a notifiable disease under the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023. 'It is also pointed out to us that the Director of Health Services has proposed notifying snakebite envenomation as a notifiable disease under the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023, and the proposal is currently under consideration by the state government," the high court noted, while hearing a suo motu case relating to lack of basic medical facilities to treat victims of snakebites. The high court had taken cognizance of the issue after an unfortunate incident from 2019 involving a young student who succumbed to a snakebite. Last week while hearing the issue, the high court went through a circular issued by the Additional Director of General Education dated May 30, 2025, whereby the authority concerned has placed the burden of medical care, training, and related responsibilities upon the school authorities. Noting that the circular issued by the Additional Director of General Education mainly places responsibility on the school, but it does not provide sufficient guidance to the school in respect of the subject of snakebites, the bench led by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar has observed, 'Therefore, we are of the opinion that the matter needs to be placed before the Chief Secretary to look into the issue and to consider how, for the effective implementation of the methodology under the Circular, the Local Self Government Department, the Health Department, and the Forest Department can be involved." The bench also comprising Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen has thus ordered, 'Accordingly, we direct that the Circular dated May 30, 2025, issued by the Additional Director of General Education, be placed before the Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, to look into the same and issue necessary directions for seeking inputs from the Local Self Government Department, the Health Department, and the Forest Department, so that a robust plan in respect of the above subject matter can be prepared, with the active involvement of all the three departments." First Published: June 12, 2025, 16:13 IST
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Ernakulam Public Health Committee moots measures to tackle monsoon-related diseases
The Ernakulam Public Health Committee has recommended stringent action as per the provisions of the Kerala Public Health Act in connection with the control measures initiated against the spread of infectious diseases with the onset of the southwest monsoon. A review of the situation pointed out the possibility of a spike in Hepatitis A and dengue cases. The authorities have asked enforcement agencies and local bodies to take action against those responsible for the distribution of contaminated drinking water in tankers. Transporters should possess the required licences/permits from the Department of Food Safety and other related departments. The committee stressed the need to create awareness among the public to keep their premises clean and avoid situation that may result in an increase in infectious diseases. People living in flood-hit regions and involved in relief and clean-up operations should take doxycycline tablets as a preventive measure based on health workers' advice. Those working in waterlogged areas should also take the medicine, besides taking proper safety measures to avoid infection, according to the health authorities. With the increase in COVID-19 cases, the public can adopt preventive measures including wearing masks and avoiding interaction with others after developing symptoms. Local bodies have also been told to ensure that water sources, including wells in apartment complexes and houses, are chlorinated at regular intervals. Forest department officials said that the school authorities in the district may download the SARPA mobile app to get the contact details of volunteers who have been trained in snake rescue operations. The suggestion was made considering the possibility of snakes entering campuses in the rainy season.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
273 Covid cases so far this month in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has reported 273 cases of Covid in May so far, with Kottayam reporting the highest case count of 82. Other districts that reported the most cases are Thiruvananthapuram (73), Ernakulam (49), Pathanamthitta (30) and Thrissur (26). Health Minister Veena George has called for an enhanced district-level surveillance in the wake of the Covid spread in Southeast Asian countries. Speaking at a meeting of district medical officers and surveillance officers, the minister asked the district authorities to report Covid cases properly. In a statement issued here on Friday, the minister asked the people to take preventive measures. Those having cold, cough, sore throat or respiratory problems should compulsorily wear masks. The elderly, pregnant women, and the critically ill should wear masks while in public places and when travelling. Masks are mandatory in hospitals. People are also advised to wash hands frequently with soap. The minister has also asked different stakeholders to intensify epidemic prevention measures. Vigil should be maintained against cholera and Hepatitis A. Strict action under the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023, will be taken against those polluting drinking water sources.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Pre-monsoon food safety checks from May 2
Pre-monsoon food safety inspections will be held for a month beginning Friday (May 2) as part of Operation Life, Minister for Health Veena George said on Tuesday. Strict action will be taken against those adulterating food, the Minister said. Steps will be initiated by the Food Safety department as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and by the Health department as per the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023. Eateries should serve safe food as per food safety guidelines, the Minister said in a statement. Special attention Special attention should be given to food as it could get spoilt fast in summer. Food that smelt or tasted different should not be consumed. Parcels should specify clearly the use by date and time. Health cards were mandatory for staff at eateries. Surprise inspections would be held at eateries, fish and meat stalls, markets, and check-posts. Inspections would also be conducted at old-age homes, child care institutions, and other homes. All food entrepreneurs should have food safety registration or licence. Stringent action would be taken in case of violations. Inspections would also be held across the State to ensure the safety of cool drinks and bottled water. Checks would be held at ice cream manufacturing facilities, bottled water manufacturing and distribution centres, and any sales centres in tourist areas. Shop owners selling cool drinks should ensure the safety of water used to make the drinks and the ice used. Drinking water in hotels and water added to chutneys and buttermilk should be safe. In safe manner Drinking water and cool drinks should not be stored in the sun in shops or transported in open vehicles. Ice creams, cool drinks, bottled water, and ice candy sold at fairs and such events should be sold in a safe manner. Food safety officers would conduct the inspections under the coordination of the Commissioner of Food Safety. The State task force team would take part in the checks. Mobile food safety labs would also be deployed.
