Asian cobras bite thousands of people annually.
Naja naja, also known as the Asian cobra, is one of more than 270 types of cobra that live in Asia and Africa. This hooded serpent is responsible for many fatal bites throughout India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Statistics on exactly how many people the Asian cobra kills annually are unreliable because of poor record keeping and uncertain snakebite identification. Some estimates claim cobras bite 10,000 people annually in India alone.
Occupational Hazard
Farmers, herders and plantation workers all risk being bitten on the job. Asian cobras frequent the rice fields and cultivated lands. Young male workers are frequently the victims, resulting in loss of family income. The incidence of snakebite shoots up during monsoon weather, floods and increased agricultural activity.
The Bite
The Asian cobra doesn't want to bite humans, but if cornered, it will bite. And bite again. It might even hold onto the victim and chew. This multiple biting style makes the cobra extremely dangerous, as a single snake can inject a great quantity of venom into its victim.
Effects of Venom
Cobra bites result in necrosis, or tissue damage, all around the bite. But even more dangerous are the neurotoxins in cobra venom, which cause descending paralysis. Drooping eyelids are often a first sign. Soon, victims are unable to move their tongues, and have difficulty talking. Once paralysis descends to the muscles that control breathing, victims will die of respiratory collapse if mechanical ventilation is unavailable.
Troubles With Treatment
Once a person is bitten, he or she must get to a health clinic or hospital to be treated. Many times, these facilities are far away, and transportation is inadequate. The bitten limb needs to be immobilized. Walking might spread the venom through the body. Often, the victim will first consult a folk healer, who might chant, cut incisions around the bite site, and apply herbs or a tourniquet. All of these treatments are contraindicated. Even if the victim manages to get to a hospital alive, the medical staff might be poorly trained in dealing with snakebites.
Antivenom
The only effective cure for snakebite is antivenom, which is made by injecting a horse or sheep with a specific type of snake venom and then processing the animal's serum. Administering the correct antivenom depends upon accurate identification of the snake. The companies that manufacture antivenoms are not closely monitored, and the results vary. Many patients have adverse reactions to the antivenom. There may be regional differences in venom, so that an antivenom produced from cobras in one part of India might not successfully combat the bite of cobras in a different state. Some patients will find the cost prohibitive. A sufficient dose of antivenom can cost more than a farmer's monthly wages.
Tags: around bite, Asian cobra, Asian cobras, cobras bite, more than, people annually