Insect Bites Outpace Snakebites at Sivasagar Hospital

Guwahati: Insect bites are hitting Assam harder than snakebites. Data from Demow CHC-cum-Model Hospital in Sivasagar district proves it. The facility treated 163 insect and animal bite cases in July, outstripping the 143 snakebite patients seen during the same stretch.

Surveillance figures highlight a shift in local health risks. Unknown insect bites led the count with 78 incidents, followed by 35 bee stings, 21 spider bites, 19 underwater insect bites, and 10 centipede bites. Snakebite data showed 11 pit vipers, five red-necked keelbacks, three cobras, and one banded krait. Year-to-date numbers show 416 insect bite cases against 389 snakebite incidents. Since the hospital began its surveillance project, it has handled 3,962 snakebite cases and 953 insect bites.

Experts blame the spike on disappearing forests and shifting environmental conditions that push wildlife toward human settlements. Persistent flooding displaces these creatures into fields and camps. Dr. Surajit Giri and his medical team warn that underwater bites will likely climb as long as high water remains. The hospital staff advises wearing protective boots, using torches after dark, and steering clear of debris. Dr. Giri and his team also caution against traditional medicine, noting that "prompt medical treatment remains the most effective way to prevent serious complications, disability, and death."