The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared snakebite envenomation as a notifiable disease under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939.
About Notifiable disease
- A notifiable disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported to government authorities.
- The collation of information allows the authorities to monitor the disease, and provides early warning of possible outbreaks.
- By making snakebite a notifiable disease, the Tamil Nadu government aims to improve the collection of vital data, strengthen clinical infrastructure, and ensure the efficient distribution of anti-snake venom.
- This move is expected to lead to better prevention strategies, reduce mortality rates, and enhance treatment facilities across the state.
- Under the new directive, both government and private hospitals are now required to report cases of snakebites and related fatalities to the government.
- This mandatory reporting system will be integrated with the State’s Integrated Health Information Platform under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program.
Snakebite envenomation
- The World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations, 1969 require disease reporting to the WHO in order to help with its global surveillance and advisory role.
- Snakebite envenomation, a life-threatening medical condition caused by venomous snake bites, is a major health concern in rural and snake-endemic regions.
- Often preventable, it poses a risk to vulnerable populations, including agricultural workers, children, and those living in tropical and subtropical areas.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised snakebite as a global public health issue and launched a strategy to reduce snakebite-induced deaths and disabilities worldwide.
- The declaration follows the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming, which was published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- The plan aims to halve snakebite deaths by 2030 through a ‘One Health’ approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health interventions.
