Climate Change May Drive Indian Snakes Closer to Humans, Raising Snakebite Risks
As climate change continues to reshape the natural world, a new study suggests it could also alter the habitats of India’s venomous snakes, potentially bringing them closer to human settlements. This shift could heighten the risk of snakebites, particularly in the northern and northeastern parts of the country. The study, conducted by Indian and South Korean researchers, was published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases and highlights the public health and development challenges posed by snakebites.
Changing Snake Habitats
India leads the world in snakebite fatalities, with annual deaths ranging from 46,000 to 60,000. The research predicts that climate change will significantly affect the distribution of snakes, resulting in their migration towards areas heavily populated by humans. This movement may escalate the risk of encounters with the Big Four venomous species: the common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus), and Indian cobra (Naja naja).
Potential Future Scenarios
Current high-risk areas include districts in Karnataka like Chikkaballapura and Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka. However, the study forecasts that states such as Assam, Manipur, and Rajasthan will face increased snakebite risks in the future. Researchers used a risk index to evaluate potential snakebite threats, taking into account snake habitat overlap with croplands, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, and healthcare access.
Linking Climate Change to Public Health
This innovative study is the first in India to merge climate-based species distribution models with socioeconomic vulnerability and healthcare capacity. It underscores that climate change is not merely an environmental issue but a pressing public health concern as well. Shantanu Kundu, one of the study’s authors, notes that socioeconomic factors and healthcare limitations are crucial in understanding snakebite mortality.
Implications for Healthcare and Awareness
While India has improved healthcare access and antivenom availability, further efforts are necessary to reach remote areas. Kundu emphasizes the importance of educating communities about snake identification and the need for immediate medical attention following a snakebite. Training local snake rescuers is also vital to ensure safe snake relocations and reduce the risk of bites.
Jaideep Menon from the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi suggests that climate change impacts on snake populations, behavior, and prey should be assessed to better plan anti-snake venom stocks and strengthen healthcare systems. Real-time data on snake sightings and bites could significantly aid in mapping and mitigating risks.
Read more: Dead snakes can still inject venom
Banner image: A saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus). Image by Rohit via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Original Story at india.mongabay.com