'Every hour, six people die of snake bite in India': Sumanth Bindumadhav

Snakebites claim more lives in India than all other animal-related deaths combined, yet this crisis remains largely invisible. Frontline's Deputy Editor Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed sits down with Sumanth Bindumadhav, a leading herpetologist and Director of Wildlife at Humane Society International, India, to uncoil the complexities of this overlooked epidemic. Bindumadhav reveals startling figures: 10 lakh snakebite cases annually, resulting in 58,000 deaths - that's six lives lost every hour. The burden falls heavily on farmers and rural labourers, with far-reaching socioeconomic impacts. From venom variations across regions to antivenom shortages and deeply rooted cultural beliefs, the challenges snake through India's healthcare system. As Karnataka becomes the first state to make snakebites a notifiable disease, Bindumadhav discusses the potential for data-driven solutions. He also shares simple yet effective prevention strategies and emphasizes the need for a multi-departmental approach to tackle this venomous problem.