Two elderly women died in separate snakebite incidents in Kerala on Sunday, taking the death toll to six in the past week. The deceased have been identified as Vishalakshi (75) from Thodupuzha in Idukki and Nafeesa (70) from Muthukuda in Pattuvam, Kannur.

Nafeesa died around 5 am on Sunday while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Pariyaram.

She had been staying with her daughter Fathima and family and was found unwell in her bed on Friday afternoon. With only young children at home at the time, her condition initially went unnoticed as they assumed she was resting.

Concern arose when Fathima’s son, Naseel, returned after Friday prayers at a nearby mosque and tried to wake her. “She was slightly conscious and could speak a little, but was extremely weak and unable to move,” said Aisha, Fathima’s daughter.

She was first taken to the Taluk Hospital in Taliparamba and later shifted to the medical college hospital. Doctors identified it as a case of snakebite based on her symptoms, and tests confirmed envenomation, though no visible bite marks were found.

Acting on medical advice, the family searched the house and surrounding premises but could not find any snake. “We are still unsure about the species. There are paddy fields nearby, and snakes are common here,” Aisha said.

Her condition worsened, and she was placed on ventilator support before succumbing early Sunday. The funeral was held at Muthukuda Juma Masjid later in the day.

In a separate incident later on Sunday, Vishalakshi, a native of Kanjhar in Kudayathoor near Thodupuzha, was bitten by a snake near her house. Living alone, she had stepped into the yard to collect mangoes when the incident occurred.

Despite the bite, she managed to reach a nearby house and alert residents, who rushed her to a hospital in Thodupuzha. However, doctors were unable to save her.

The deaths come amid a rise in snakebite fatalities in the state, with six deaths reported in the past week alone. The other victims include Indira (65) and Saleena (42) from Alappuzha, Dikshal (8) from Thiruvananthapuram, and Aljo (8) from Thrissur.

The Health Department has urged the public to seek immediate medical assistance in case of snakebite by dialling 108. Health Minister Veena George said the ‘Kanivu 108’ ambulance service ensures timely transport to hospitals equipped with anti-snake venom, with trained personnel providing first aid and continuous monitoring during transit.