Researchers document first human deaths by Caspian cobra in India
A case report in Epidemiology International documents the first confirmed human deaths from Naja oxiana, also called the Central Asian cobra, with two deaths and two survivals recorded in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district
Researchers have documented the first human deaths in India caused by venomous Caspian cobra bites, a species previously unknown to affect the country. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Epidemiology International, details two fatalities and two survivals from bites by the Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana) in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba's Pir Panjal mountain range.
Omesh Kumar Bharti, who led the study, stated that deaths due to this species have never been reported from India before. The first death occurred in July 2020 when a 40-year-old man was bitten twice while working in an apple orchard. His condition worsened, and he died on the third day after the bite. The second victim, a 62-year-old man, was bitten while walking to work in July 2021 and collapsed within half an hour, dying before reaching hospital.
The existing anti-snake venom, designed to counter four common species, is ineffective against the venom of the Caspian cobra. The researchers noted the need for greater community awareness about the danger posed by this species in affected areas and the importance of educating locals on ways to reduce the risk of being bitten.
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