Nine people die, 150 injured from snakebite

People leave home in fear

Fatal snake bites have become a major public health concern at Vatoi Uttarpara in Shailkupa.
At least 9 people died and over150 injured from snakebite over the past two months in this area, according to local sources.
In retaliation, the people of the village also killed 200 poisonous snakes during the period.  TA Raju, a resident of the village, said the angry people of the village killed the poisonous snake like cobra at the village over the past two months.
Women are spending sleepless night at home and men are taking shelter in the mosque for fear of snakebite.
 Villagers Azizul Islam and Sohrab Biswas said this is the time when the incidences of snakebite rise at the village, where two people died and over 20 injured from snakebite in July and August last year.
Momena Khatun, a housewife, said one can see snakes up to 6 feet long  here in bed room, kitchen, toilet, veranda and yard. “We are really afraid of the venomous creatures and our children are not going to school. The people here are shifting to houses of relatives elsewhere.” Some victims said they get up from sleeps in pain at hand, legs or body. Later, they found those were snakebites. Civil surgeon of Jhenidah Dr. Abdus Salam said a five-member committee has been formed to monitor the situation. “We have lot of anti-venom medicines in our hospital. People have to come to us immediately after the bite.”
 He said the first few minutes after a snake bites are crucial.  But instead of going to the nearest hospital, villagers trust traditional healers or quacks.

Nine people die, 150 injured from snakebite

People leave home in fear

Fatal snake bites have become a major public health concern at Vatoi Uttarpara in Shailkupa. At least 9 people died and over150 injured from snakebite over the past two months in this area, according to local sources. In retaliation, the people of the village also killed 200 poisonous snakes during the period. TA Raju, a resident of the village, said the angry people of the village killed the poisonous snake like cobra at the village over the past two months. Women are spending sleepless night at home and men are taking shelter in the mosque for fear of snakebite. Villagers Azizul Islam and Sohrab Biswas said this is the time when the incidences of snakebite rise at the village, where two people died and over 20 injured from snakebite in July and August last year. Momena Khatun, a housewife, said one can see snakes up to 6 feet long here in bed room, kitchen, toilet, veranda and yard. We are really afraid of the venomous creatures and our children are not going to school. The people here are shifting to houses of relatives elsewhere. Some victims said they get up from sleeps in pain at hand, legs or body. Later, they found those were snakebites. Civil surgeon of Jhenidah Dr. Abdus Salam said a five-member committee has been formed to monitor the situation. We have lot of anti-venom medicines in our hospital. People have to come to us immediately after the bite. He said the first few minutes after a snake bites are crucial. But instead of going to the nearest hospital, villagers trust traditional healers or quacks.