RAIPUR:

The Health and Family Welfare department, Government of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday issued guidelines for the snake bite cases.

With an increase in snakebite incidents during the rainy season, it is advised not to approach witchcraft instead should rush the patient to be treated in the nearest health centre without delay, an official communication said.

With the rainy season begins, the risk of bites of poisonous snakes, scorpions and insects increases. In case of snake, scorpion or poisonous insect bite, immediate treatment of the victim can save his life.

Snakes often enter houses or fences in search of a safe place and food, and snakebite occurs.

State Nodal Officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) Dr. Dharmendra Gahwai said that in view of the increasing cases of snakebite, arrangements have been made to keep anti-snake venom in district hospitals, community health centres, civil hospitals and primary health centres.

Many times, on the bite of a poisonous snake, within one to one-and-a-half hours, the victim dies due to lack of treatment. The victim should be rushed to the nearest health centre.

Gahwai said that not all snakes are poisonous. Most of the deaths happen in panic after snake bites.

The Health Department made an appeal to the people not to fall prey to witch-hunts.

Most of the cases of snakebite come from forests and rural areas as they sleep on the ground. It increases the chances for snakebite. It is advised not to sleep on the ground during the rainy season.