Kasaragod: A woman cleaning the Kasaragod Medical College campus at Ukkinadka was bitten by a viper on Wednesday, ahead of the start of classes for the first batch of students.

The victim, Indira C H (37), a resident of Kadambar and a member of the Haritha Karma Sena team, was rushed to the General Hospital in Kasaragod town, 27 km away, where she is currently in the ICU under close observation.

The incident occurred around noon, as student admissions were underway and the cleaning team was at work. Indira reportedly felt a sharp sting on her hand. Officials found a viper at the site, confirming the bite.

Vipers carry hemotoxic venom, which can cause clotting disorders, internal bleeding, and local tissue damage, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes necrosis. Superintendent Sreekumar said the hospital has the required antivenom. A staff member attending to the patient said that antivenom would only be administered if venom had been injected. "As of now, it looks like a dry bite. But she is under observation for 24 hours," he said.

Not every bite from a venomous snake delivers venom. Dry bite occurs when a snake delivers a defensive warning rather than an attack meant to kill or immobilise prey. Since producing venom takes a lot of energy, snakes regulate how much they release.

Dry bites can still be painful and cause minor tissue injury, but usually do not produce systemic symptoms, he said. In such cases, antivenom is not given, as it is unnecessary and carries its own risks, said the staff at the General Hospital.

The Medical College campus at Ukkinadka in Badiadka panchayat does not have a teaching hospital, and the government renamed the General Hospital in Kasaragod town, an hour away, as Kasaragod Medical College Hospital for approval.

Earlier this month, the National Medical Commission (NMC) gave approval to admit 50 students for the 2025–26 academic year. A few students have already enrolled.