Collaborative initiative eyes NE specific anti-venom
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 28 2024: Northeast India, with its lush landscapes, dense forests and verdant hills, has different species of snakes different from those found in other parts of the state, and snakebite poses a significant threat to the lives and livelihoods of its inhabitants.

With mortality rates soaring and disability becoming a harsh reality for many, the need for effective treatment has never been more urgent.

Recent data reveals a staggering mortality rate of 58,000 and a disability rate of 140,000 annually due to snakebites in India, with the Northeast region bearing a considerable burden.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the treatment landscape has seen little innovation over the past century.

The primary therapy remains anti-venom, but its effectiveness against the diverse venom profiles of Northeastern snakes has been called into question.

Dr HT Lalremsanga from Mizoram University, a visionary scientist leading a ground-breaking initiative funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), along with his team are on a mission to develop an improved Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) tailored specifically to the venomous snakes endemic to Northeast India.

The current Indian polyvalent anti-venom, while effective against the venom of the so-called Big Four snakes - Spectacled cobra, Saw-scaled viper, Russell's viper, and Common krait - falls short when confronted with the venomous species unique to the Northeast.

This deficiency in treatment options has spurred Dr Lalremsanga and his collaborators into action.

Partnering with esteemed institutions such as Aaranyak, the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology in Guwahati, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and Premium Serums and Vaccines in Pune, Mizoram University is leading the charge in developing a region-specific ASV.

By pooling their expertise and resources, these institutions aim to create an anti-venom capable of neutralising the venom from a broader range of Northeastern snakes.

Firoz Ahmed from Aaranyak echoes the urgent need for more effective snakebite treatments in the region.

With an average of 10,000 snakebite cases reported annually in the Northeast, the demand for ASV far outweighs the current supply.

Victims often require multiple vials of anti-venom for treatment, highlighting the critical need for innovation in this field.

The urgency of the situation is further underscored by the rich biodiversity of snakes in India, with approximately 300 species identified, including around 60 venomous ones.

Among these venomous species is the lesser-known green pit viper, whose bites can result in severe haematological abnormalities and significant morbidity.

Dr Lalremsanga's research has shed light on the inefficacy of current anti-venoms in treating green pit viper envenomation, highlighting the need for alternative therapies tailored to the region's unique venom profiles.

The development of a region-specific ASV could not only save lives but also alleviate the socio-economic burden of snakebites on communities in Northeast India.

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