In Sri Lanka, snakes hold a significant place in the country's culture, mythology, and history. They are intricately woven into local folklore and religious beliefs. The cobra is revered as a protector and in Hindu mythology, snakes are associated with powerful deities like Shiva and Vishnu.
Despite these positive associations, Sri Lanka grapples with a significant public health crisis, largely underreported, yet, devastating: snakebites. With an estimated incidence of snakebites ranging from 34,239 to over 80,000 per year, our country records one of the highest rates globally, approximately 400 bites per 100,000 people. These alarming statistics are not just numbers but reflect a widespread challenge across various facets of public health and safety.
The danger is particularly acute due to the prevalence of highly venomous snakes, including the Russell's viper, the cobra, the common krait/the Sri Lankan krait, and the Merrem’s/lowland/Sri Lankan hump-nosed pit viper, which are responsible for nearly all snakebite deaths in the country. The healthcare response is also telling, with a 2012-2013 survey revealing that while 98% of snakebite victims sought medical care, the treatment avenues were split between 55% opting for allopathic (Western medicine) solutions and 43% turning to traditional methods.
The actual burden of snakebites is likely even higher than reported, with community based studies suggesting annual incidences nearing 110,000 bites and 45,000 cases of envenoming. This discrepancy in reporting highlights the need for improved surveillance and healthcare strategies to effectively address and mitigate the risks associated with snakebites.
Amidst this backdrop, the escalating impacts of climate change are exacerbating the situation. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns are altering snake behaviour and habitats, increasing human-snake interactions, especially in rural and densely populated areas. This intersection of high snakebite prevalence and shifting ecological conditions calls for an urgent focus on adaptive strategies that safeguard public health while addressing the root environmental triggers. As we delve into the specifics of the role of climate change in this crisis, it becomes clear that a proactive, multi-faceted approach is essential for the well-being of Sri Lanka's communities.
Climate change alters habitats & movements
Sri Lanka is witnessing rapid shifts in the climate, with rising temperatures and erratic rainfall leading to changes in snake behaviour and habitats. Elevated temperatures and prolonged droughts are turning once habitable areas inhospitable for snake species, particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, and Southern Provinces. These Provinces often suffer from severe dry spells, which can cause snakes to leave their usual territories and migrate closer to human settlements, increasing the likelihood of snakebites. Conservation biologist Michael G. Starkey of Save the Snakes underscores that climate change induced habitat loss is leading to unusual snake behaviour, contributing to a rise in bites in populated regions.
In addition to rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns have brought frequent flooding to many parts of the country, further displacing snakes. Heavy floods force snakes to seek refuge on higher ground, frequently in areas already occupied by humans. Floodwaters also create stagnant pools, ideal breeding grounds for venomous snakes, thus increasing encounters. The floods in Pakistan in 2022 exemplified this phenomenon, where displaced families living in makeshift shelters found themselves at greater risk of snakebites.
Sri Lanka is similarly vulnerable to these conditions due to frequent floods, which affect densely populated agricultural areas like the Nilwala River Basin in the Southern Province. Here, agricultural workers and villagers face increased snakebite risk as snakes are driven out of flooded forests into surrounding farms and villages. Furthermore, these climate patterns alter the distribution of snakes across regions, expanding their range in some areas while reducing their presence in others.
These climate driven habitat shifts and displacements are worsening an already concerning problem, requiring more robust public health interventions and mitigation strategies. Without immediate action, the snakebite crisis will only deepen, posing greater challenges for Sri Lanka's healthcare system and vulnerable communities.
As SL warms up
Recent research from the University of Kelaniya projects that the annual snakebite burden in Sri Lanka could increase by over 31% in the next 25 to 50 years. Currently, snake bites result in over 30,000 hospital admissions annually, predominantly affecting agricultural workers, rural residents, and children. However, these numbers only scratch the surface as snake bites often go under-reported. The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that hospital data significantly underestimate both mortality rates and the overall incidence. In some regions, the actual annual incidence of snakebites is estimated to be as high as 80,000 cases per year (per Mongabay).
Poor data collection exacerbates the issue, with many victims relying on traditional remedies instead of allopathic treatments. This contributes to the severe underreporting of snakebites and subsequent complications due to delayed or inadequate medical care.
Effect on rural economy
Snakebites are especially devastating to rural communities already grappling with socio-economic challenges. In agricultural areas, workers are at greater risk due to frequent exposure in their work environments, particularly during extreme weather events such as flooding or drought. The survivors of snakebites often face long-term disabilities that hinder their ability to work and provide for their families. Medical expenses compound the problem, leaving victims and their families in financial distress.
In addition, healthcare systems struggle to manage the increasing burden of snakebites. Rural hospitals often lack the necessary antivenom supplies and trained staff to handle cases of envenomation. In response to these challenges, the WHO is leveraging geographic information system technology to map snake distributions and risk areas across Sri Lanka. This mapping aims to improve resource distribution, ensure access to treatment in high risk regions, and bolster community education programmes on snakebite prevention (per an Oxford academic).
Frequent snakebites in rural Sri Lanka have created a pervasive atmosphere of fear and anxiety among communities, disrupting daily life and social cohesion. The constant threat of encountering venomous snakes affects the ability of residents to carry out essential activities, such as farming, collecting firewood, and travelling to local markets. This fear discourages communal interaction, causing people to avoid gathering in open spaces or even moving around their villages. Fear of snakes forces people to alter their routines and lifestyles, resulting in lower agricultural productivity and subsequent financial hardship. The psychological stress of constantly living in fear of snakebites adds to the burden, as many people experience heightened anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. This mental burden isolates individuals further, impairing their ability to work, interact, and make rational decisions, while limiting their access to supportive networks within their communities (per the PLOS).
Addressing the rising incidence of snakebites in Sri Lanka is critical, but, the broader implications of climate change cannot be ignored. The shifting weather patterns are driving venomous snakes into human populated areas, bringing more frequent floods, intense heat waves, and droughts that displace both people and the wildlife. As snakebites strain healthcare systems and decimate rural livelihoods, it is clear that climate change could usher in even greater disasters if left unchecked. The growing unpredictability of this evolving threat makes it essential for Sri Lanka to act swiftly, ensuring that future generations are protected from an increasingly hostile environment. The question now is whether the country can mitigate these risks before it becomes too late.
(The writer is an electronics engineer with a background in information technology and sustainability)
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication