Context:
Why are antivenoms not easily accessible in India? | Article in The Hindu
Snakebite Envenoming:
- Snakebite envenoming: Life-threatening condition from venomous snake bite, can lead to death or permanent impairment if not treated timely.
- Snake Venom: Contains toxins that immobilize the human body by releasing:
- Haemotoxins: Destroy blood cells, disrupt clotting.
- Neurotoxins: Block nerve signals, paralyze.
- Cytotoxins: Dissolve tissue at the bite site.
- WHO Guidelines:
- Snakebite envenoming classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD)
- Issued guidelines for effective management of snakebite cases.
- Effective Treatment: Safe and effective antivenoms are crucial for treating snakebite envenoming.
- Antivenoms: Listed in the WHO List of essential medicines; should be included in primary health care packages in areas prone to snake bites.
Snakebites in India:
- India: Home to over 300 snake species; more than 60 are venomous (from mild to high).
- Snakebite Capital: India records over 58,000 snakebite-related deaths annually.
- Central Bureau of Health Investigation (CBHI) Reports (2016-2020):
- Average annual snakebite cases: around 3 lakhs
- Annual deaths due to snakebite envenoming: about 2000
- 2020 Study (2001-2014):
- Estimated 1.2 million snakebite deaths (3 times as many cases of permanent disability)
- One in 250 Indians at risk of dying from snakebite before age 70.
About Antivenoms:
- Antivenoms: Life-saving medicines for treating snakebites.
- India: Largest producer and consumer of antivenoms globally.
- Function: Antivenoms bind to venom toxins, rendering them ineffective, allowing the body to clear them safely.
- Production Process:
- First Antivenom: Produced by French physician Albert Calmette in the 1890s using horses.
- Method: Small amounts of snake venom are injected into horses, which produce antibodies.
- Antibodies are extracted from horse’s blood, purified, and formulated as antivenoms.
- Irula Tribe: Experts in milking snakes and collecting venom in Tamil Nadu, supplied to Pharma companies for antivenom production.
- Companies in India: Bharat Serums and Vaccines, Haffkine Bio-pharmaceutical Corporation, ViNS Bioproducts.
- Current Status in India:
- Polyvalent Antivenoms (PVAs): Target the Big Four snakes, accounting for most snakebite deaths.
- Big Four: Venom from Indian cobra (Naja naja), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), and saw-scaled viper (genus Echis).
Reasons for High Snake Bite related Mortality
- Accessibility: Long journeys to healthcare facilities in remote areas.
- Ineffectiveness: Polyvalent antivenoms (PVAs) don’t work on some venoms.
- Logistics: Need for cold storage; rural areas lack infrastructure.
- Treatment Delay: Superstitions, cultural practices, and traditional medicine.
- Facilities: Poor handling degrades antivenoms in storage.
- Cost: High manufacturing costs limit access for the economically disadvantaged.
Future Research in Antivenom Development
- Synthetic Antivenoms: Using recombinant DNA technology to produce lab-engineered antivenoms. These are free from animal-derived proteins and offer greater safety and efficacy.
- Example: Research led by 2024 Nobel laureate David Baker used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to design synthetic antivenoms.
- Tailored Antivenoms: By mapping toxins’ compositions, scientists aim to create tailored antivenoms for more precise treatments.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)