While Karnataka is home to more than 80 species of snakes, most recorded bites are from cobras, Russell’s vipers and kraits.
Karnataka has seen a steady and sharp increase in reported snakebite cases over the past five years, with 16,805 cases and 154 deaths reported in 2025, according to data from the Health Department’s Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.
The state reported 950 cases in 2021. The number rose to 3,439 in 2022 and 6,596 in 2023. In 2024, the number of cases more than doubled to 13,235 and increased further in 2025.
In terms of mortality, Koppal recorded the highest number of snakebite deaths at 13 in 2025. Chamarajnagar followed with 12 deaths, while Raichur, Dharwad and Davanagere recorded 10 deaths each in 2025. Several other counties reported deaths in the single digits, while some reported one or no deaths so far this year. From zero deaths in 2021, the number of deaths increased to 17, 19, 100 and 154 in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Notifiable diseases
Health officials attribute part of the increase to increased surveillance after snakebite was declared a reportable disease, requiring government and private health facilities to report cases and deaths.
In February 2024, Karnataka became the first state in India to declare snakebite a notifiable condition and institutionalized real-time reporting through a public health surveillance system. This marked a critical shift from episodic response to data-driven management.
In the districts
District data for 2025 shows that Shivamogga recorded the highest number of snakebite cases at 1,002. Other districts with a high number of cases this year include Chikkaballapur, Hassan, Mandya, Mysuru and Koppal, reflecting the concentration of cases in agrarian and marginal forest areas.
At the lower end, the BBMP (Bengaluru city limits) reported 75 cases in 2025, the least among intelligence agencies in the state. Urban neighborhoods and areas with lower agricultural exposure generally see fewer cases compared to mostly rural areas, officials said.
Improved surveillance
Padma MR, Deputy Director, State Surveillance Unit, said better case detection and mandatory reporting have strengthened data accuracy. “Since snakebite is classified as a reportable disease, all cases and deaths have to be entered into the IHIP portal. This has improved surveillance,” she said.
She noted that districts with significant agricultural activity, plantation work, and proximity to forest areas tend to report higher incidence due to occupational exposure. “Monsoon months usually see an increase in cases,” she said.
State Action Plan
As part of the State Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Snakebite Poisoning (SAPSE), which was launched on Friday, the Ministry of Health has issued a comprehensive plan dedicated exclusively to the fight against snakebite. Designated snakebite treatment centers across the districts have been identified and availability of anti-snake venom has been ensured.
“Early administration of snake venom and timely referral in severe cases can prevent most deaths,” said Dr. Padma. Community awareness about prompt transport to hospitals and avoidance of harmful traditional practices is essential to reducing mortality, she said.
Varieties of snakes
While Karnataka is home to more than 80 species of snakes, of which nearly 8 to 10 are of medical importance, most of the recorded bites are from cobras, Russell’s vipers and kraits, the official added.
Published – 28 Feb 2026 20:15 IST
