KATHMANDU, July 10: A total of 381 people have been bitten by snakes in and around Kathmandu since the start of the monsoon season.
According to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, 381 cases of snakebite had been reported by Thursday. Most cases were from Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Dhading, Nuwakot, and Kavrepalanchok districts.
Two including a new mother die from snakebite
Dr Yuwanidhi Basnet, the hospital’s director, said that most patients report being bitten by green snakes, typically found in hilly regions. “Many people come saying they were bitten by a green snake,” he said, “though some don’t see the snake at all.”
While green snakebites are rarely fatal, Dr Basnet noted that they can cause wounds, bleeding, and swelling. Patients often require hospitalization for four to five days.
Most victims were engaged in activities like cutting grass, farming, or picking vegetables. Many were barefoot or wearing low shoes, particularly when walking through fields or at night.
Dr Basnet added that because green snakes are the same color as grass and vegetables, people often fail to notice them. He advised wearing high boots, using gloves, clearing bushes near homes, and using flashlights at night to avoid bites.
