Centre Directs States To Make Snakebites A Notifiable Disease

The Union Health Ministry has instructed states and UTs to classify snakebite cases and deaths as “Notifiable Diseases.” This will require mandatory reporting by all health facilities. The move is part of India’s National Action Plan for Snakebite Prevention, aiming to reduce deaths by 50% by 2030. With over 58,000 annual deaths, snakebites remain a major public health concern in rural areas.