Snakebite incidents have increased sharply in Kushtia with the onset of the monsoon, with at least 13 patients admitted to the district’s 250-bed General Hospital in the past 24 hours.
Farmers working in fields and on riverbanks are among those most at risk as snake movement has increased across the district. One patient bitten by a venomous Russell’s viper, locally known as Chandrabora, has been left in critical condition, raising concern among residents.
Hospital sources said 13 snakebite patients from different parts of the district sought treatment between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday noon. Of them, 10 were men and three were women, with most of the patients being farmers.
Patients said they were bitten while carrying out agricultural activities, including working in fields and washing jute. Most of them could not identify the snakes responsible for the bites.
Shahidul Islam, a farmer from Chapra Union in Kumarkhali, was bitten while washing jute, while Rahibul of Patikabari Union in Kushtia Sadar was attacked while working in a field.
Meherina of Barkhada area in Kumarkhali and Hosneara of Daulatpur were bitten near their homes. In another incident, a youth named Zubair from Daulatpur was attacked by a snake while returning home after Maghrib prayers.
The most serious incident occurred in Collegepara area of Bheramara, where Harun, a resident of the area, was bitten by a highly venomous Russell’s viper and is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Doctors said all admitted patients were being kept under close observation and receiving treatment according to their condition.
Dr Md Mahfuzur Rahman, assistant registrar (Medicine) at Kushtia General Hospital, said 13 patients suffering from snake and venomous animal bites had received treatment at the hospital in the past 24 hours.
“One patient has been administered anti-venom. We currently have an adequate stock of anti-venom and are managing the situation effectively,” he said.
He urged people not to waste time seeking traditional remedies or going to healers after snakebites. “Patients should be taken to hospital immediately instead of relying on superstitions. If treatment begins on time, the chances of full recovery are much higher,” he added.
Shahabuddin Milon, vice-president of the Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation Federation (BBCF), said snake activity increases during the monsoon as it is their breeding and movement season.
“As water accumulates everywhere, snakes move towards human settlements in search of dry and elevated places. Farmers should remain especially cautious while working in fields during this period,” he said.
