Jun 15, Kathmandu - The number of snakebite victims at the Regional Hospital in Jaleshwor, Mahottari, is steadily increasing, with more patients seeking treatment daily.

According to Ramudita Yadav, an emergency room healthcare worker at the hospital, up to five snakebite patients are arriving each day for treatment. The recent scorching heat has led to a surge in snake encounters, especially among villagers working in fields and walking around the district.

Due to the extreme heat in the district for the past few days, the number of non-venomous and venomous snake bites on people walking and working in the fields has been increasing. He informed that most of the patients who reach the hospital for treatment are bitten by non-venomous snakes and only a few are bitten by venomous snakes.

All ten municipalities and five rural municipalities of Mahottari face increased snakebite risks during the summer months. The hospital also reports patients arriving from various parts of India seeking treatment.

Fortunately, the hospital has an adequate supply of antivenom, ensuring effective treatment for bite victims. However, the lack of an ICU facility poses a challenge, particularly for severe cases of venomous snakebites, which require referral to other hospitals for advanced care.