Bangladesh reels from a spike in snake bites.
Following reports of an increase in snake bites across the country, all health centers and hospitals in Bangladesh have been required to store anti-venom.
Dr. Samanta Lal Sen, the health minister, also asked the public to bring snake bite victims to hospitals as soon as possible.
Hospitals in rural Bangladesh have reported an increase in snake bites, particularly those caused by the Russell's viper, which is common throughout South Asia.
The occurrences have been widely discussed on Bangladeshi social media in recent weeks.
The Russell's viper, which feeds on rodents, is frequently seen near human settlements and on fields, especially during harvest season.
According to a report published in 2023, snake bites kill over 7,000 people in Bangladesh each year. The majority of victims survive if they receive anti-venom treatment quickly.
The Russell's viper was declared extinct in Bangladesh in 2002, but the species has since recovered.
Scientists believe the snake, which typically lives in dry locations, has adapted to diverse climate conditions and has spread to over 25 districts in Bangladesh.
According to the World Health Organization, snake bites are one of the most neglected tropical diseases, and addressing them is a top priority.
