The state health department has notified snakebite cases and deaths as diseases of public health importance under the Kerala Public Health Act 2023. The move follows a recent directive from the Kerala High Court to take steps to make snakebite envenomation a notifiable disease under the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023, as per the communication of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in November 2024, within two months.

The HC bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen issued the order on September 26 while disposing of two petitions filed in the wake of the death of a class 5 student due to snakebite in the Government school at Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, on November 20, 2019.

Both petitions flagged the lack of medical care required for urgent treatment of child victims of snakebite and deficiencies in school buildings, hygiene and related matters in Kerala.

Chief Secretary had convened a meeting on September 1 to formulate guidelines on school safety and security, including the prevention and management of snakebites.

During the meeting, the Forest Department reported adoption of the Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App (SARPA) initiative, a comprehensive measure that has contributed to a reduction in snakebite deaths. 

It was noted that while snakebite has been declared a notifiable disease in many states, no such notification was issued in Kerala, and action was required to notify snakebite as a notifiable disease under the Public Health Act.

It was also discussed that the Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) currently available in the state is effective against only four common snake species. The Chief Secretary had suggested that a detailed study be conducted to assess the need for producing ASV for other snake species as well.

As per the Public Health Act 2023, the government may declare any disease, communicable or otherwise, for which it requires the collection of data or the treatment protocols as a disease of public health importance.

When any notifiable communicable disease comes to the notice or knowledge of any person or Government Hospital or Private Hospital or clinic or laboratory or research institutions, such person or the institution shall report the same to the Public Health Officer. On receipt of such information, the Public Health Officers shall forthwith intervene to control the spread of such diseases and to eradicate them.

Kerala has reported 600 deaths due to snakebites in the past ten years.