Bhubaneswar: A woman reportedly died and her granddaughter sustained injuries after bitten by a snake while sleeping at night at Nuapalli village under Khallikote block in Ganjam district.
The woman identified as Rajani Das succumbed to the snakebite while her granddaughter Sonali Das is currently undergoing treatment in critical condition at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
It is pertinent to mention that India bears the highest burden of snakebite fatalities worldwide, with estimated annual deaths ranging from 46,000 to 60,000. Traditionally, states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, and Maharashtra have been the most prone to snakebite deaths. However, a recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases suggests that climate change may alter the geographic distribution of venomous snakes, shifting their habitats towards Northern and Northeastern states.
