Centre requests states to declare snakebite cases as 'notifiable disease'

'Snakebites are an issue of public health concern and in certain cases, cause mortality, morbidity and disability'

NEW DELHI: The Centre has urged all the states to declare snakebites as a "notifiable disease", making it mandatory for all health facilities to report such cases and deaths.

Snakebites are an issue of public health concern and in certain cases, cause mortality, morbidity and disability, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has said in a letter sent to all the states and Union territories.

The states have been requested by the Centre to declare snakebites as a "notifiable disease" under the relevant provisions of the states' public health laws or other applicable legislation, making it mandatory for all government and private health facilities (including medical colleges) to report every suspected, probable snakebite case and death.