Study Finds 100 Snakebite Deaths in Tamil Nadu, Highlighting Rural Gaps

A study conducted by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has found that snakebite deaths in Tamil Nadu are concentrated in rural areas, where victims were predominantly farmers or daily-wage workers bitten in agricultural fields or after dark.

The analysis, which examined 56,664 snakebite cases reported across Tamil Nadu between January 2022 and May 2025, registered 100 deaths, representing an overall case-fatality rate of 0.18%. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed medical journal, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

According to the analysis, delays in seeking medical treatment and the continued reliance on unsafe first-aid practices were major contributors to the fatalities. Researchers observed that harmful practices such as tying tourniquets, administering herbal remedies, and cutting the bite wound directly contributed to fatal outcomes among patients.

The research identified a clear seasonal trend in snakebite occurrences, showing that the overall burden rose alongside rainfall. The number of recorded cases increased steadily from June through October. The cases consistently peaked in October, a period when widespread agricultural field work and heightened snake activity frequently overlap.

The data further revealed marked disparities across gender and age groups. Men accounted for nearly two-thirds of all reported snakebite cases. However, women and elderly individuals were found to be more likely to die relative to their total share of bite cases. Specifically, women accounted for 36.3% of all cases but made up 46% of the recorded deaths.

A similar trend was documented among older demographics. Older people represented 10.2% of the total snakebite cases but accounted for 17% of the deaths.

Corresponding author K J Subhashini stated that older people face a greater risk of mortality from snakebites. Although the study did not isolate the exact factors responsible for the higher mortality rate among these groups, researchers noted that the disparity may be linked to greater physiological vulnerability, critical delays in reaching healthcare, or differences in the treatment administered.