Reports indicate that Russell’s Viper is present in at least 25 districts across Bangladesh, including Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali, Chandpur, and areas around Dhaka.
This year, 10 people have died due to its bites, mainly farmers and fishermen who encounter the snake in their daily activities.One of the major challenges in the country is the insufficient supply of effective antivenom.The antivenom currently used is designed for Indian snake variants, which may not be fully effective for local viper species.
To address this situation, researchers at Chittagong University are developing a specific antivenom for Russell’s Viper. This development is crucial for providing effective treatment in high-risk areas.
The killing of natural predators like foxes, monitor lizards, and mongooses by villagers has disrupted the ecological balance, leading to an increase in the snake population. These predators play a vital role in controlling the snake population, and their decline has indirectly contributed to more human-snake encounters.
To counter the misinformation and panic, forest officer Md Motalib Al Momin and other experts have been actively disseminating accurate information.The government is also working to distribute antivenom more effectively in high-risk areas.
Additional Director General of the Department of Health, Professor Dr Ahmedul Kabir, assured that efforts are ongoing to ensure antivenom availability across the country.