DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i05.037

Pages: 1675-1676

Most snakebites is caused by non-venomous snakes. Of the roughly 3,000 known species of snake found worldwide, only 15% are considered dangerous to humans. Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica. In this 3 years retrospective study from Jan 2010 to Dec 2012, total of 505 snake bite cases which have been registered in the casualty of Krishna Institute of Medical sciences were analyzed at the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KIMS, Karad. During this study several epidemiological observations and their results were considered. In the present study maximum numbers of victims belongs to 31-40 year age groups, and the sex ratio is 1.29:1. Most snake bite cases (461) occurred in rural area. Most importantly, it is well known that many patients are treated and die outside health care facilities – especially in rural areas. Out of 505 snake bit cases, poisonous snake bite case accounts in 218. The statistics are shocking, considering India is neither home to the largest number snakes in the world nor is there a shortage of anti-venom in the country.