1,440 died of snakebite, 223 of rabies in India in 2011

This information was given in the Lok Sabha by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad while replying to a written question.

The minister said that while the maximum of 380 snakebite deaths were reported in West Bengal, this was followed by 296 in Orissa, 258 in Andhra Pradesh and 119 in Madhya Pradesh.

He said 58 deaths due to snakebite had also taken place in Maharashtra and 50 in Uttar Pradesh, while Karnataka reported 49 and Gujarat 48 such deaths and Himachal Pradesh 40 and another 39 in Tamil Nadu.

The maximum of 73 deaths due to rabies were also reported from West Bengal, which was followed by 45 in Andhra Pradesh. There was also 24 rabies related deaths taking place in 2011 in Orissa and 21 in Tamil Nadu, besides 18 in Karnataka, 17 in Delhi and 16 in Gujarat. Delhi also reported three deaths due to snakebite.

The Minister said to prevent human deaths due to rabies, a pilot project was carried out in the 11th five-year Plan in five citis of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Pune, Madurai and Delhi to help create awareness in the community about timely action and post-exposure treatment in such cases and medical and paramedical personnel wwre also trained in providing timely animal bite management.

Azad said since Health is a state subject, it is the primary responsibility of the state governments to ensure availability of anti-rabies vaccine and anti-snake venom serum in the health care facilities, but the Centre was providing funds to states under the NRHM for purchase of drugs and vaccines to make up for shortages and strengthen primacy healthcare centres. PTI SKC