The Himachal Pradesh government has declared snakebite envenoming a notifiable disease in the state, in consonance with the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) in India by 2030, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The decision has been taken in exercise of powers conferred under Sections 12 (1) (iii) and 42 of the Central Government Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010.
A state government notification issued by the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, on February 26, 2026, directs that every health facility (public and private), including medical colleges, and every medical practitioner, in the course of practice, should report all suspected and probable snakebite cases and deaths to the respective public health authority with the least practicable delay in order to strengthen snakebite surveillance.
The notification states that this step will help track snakebite incidents, identify high-risk areas for deploying resources such as anti-snake venom, and determine the factors leading to deaths of snakebite victims. This, in turn, will help improve the clinical management of snakebite victims.
Snakebite has long been considered a neglected tropical disease and claims around 50,000 lives annually in India due to several gaps in the social and medical management of snakebites. Although health authorities claim that snakebite deaths have come down significantly in India, according to a recent survey conducted across 13 states including Himachal Pradesh, snakebites still remain a challenge in the largely rural state of Himachal. Estimates suggest that around 100 deaths occur due to snakebites in Himachal every year, which could be reduced with greater awareness about prevention and control of snakebite envenoming.
Many people bitten by snakes prefer visiting faith healers or local deities and reach hospitals only after significant delays, often in critical condition. Doctors at lower health facilities also hesitate to treat snakebite victims due to a lack of facilities and training, and refer the patients to higher centres, which further delays treatment.
Officials said that by declaring snakebite envenoming a notifiable disease, existing gaps in reporting and treatment can be streamlined. The National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming was launched two years ago, asking states to declare it a notifiable disease and prepare their respective state action plans. More than 10 states, including Himachal Pradesh, have already notified snakebite envenoming as a notifiable disease.
Snakebite experts said the notification is a significant step towards the prevention and control of snakebite envenoming in the state. They said it will help strengthen surveillance and map snakebite hotspots across Himachal Pradesh for action.
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