In a remarkable incident that has captured widespread attention, a 35-year-old railway worker named Santosh Lohar bit a snake to death after it attacked him. The incident occurred on the evening of July 2, 2024, in a forested region near Nawada in Bihar, India.
Lohar was resting at his base camp after a day of laying railway tracks when a snake bit him. In a swift reaction, driven by a local superstition, Lohar bit the snake back multiple times, ultimately killing it. “In my village, there’s a belief that if a snake bites you, you must bite it back twice to neutralize the venom,” Lohar explained to India Today.
The superstition that biting a snake can transfer the venom back to the reptile is prevalent in some parts of India. Despite the snake’s death, Lohar was immediately taken to a nearby hospital by his colleagues. He received antivenom treatment and was kept overnight. According to Gulf News, Lohar responded well to the treatment and was discharged the following day.
India is home to a diverse range of snake species, including highly venomous ones such as the Indian cobra, common krait, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper. These species, known as the “Big Four,” are responsible for the majority of snakebite incidents in the country. A 2020 study revealed that Russell’s viper accounted for 43% of snakebites in India between 2000 and 2019, with kraits and cobras making up 18% and 12%, respectively.
The incident quickly went viral, drawing crowds to the hospital where Lohar was treated. Many locals were curious about his story and the unusual method he employed to counter the snakebite. Dr. Satish Chandra, the physician who treated Lohar, confirmed that he was out of danger and recovering well.
Snakebites are a significant public health issue in India, particularly in rural and agricultural areas. The same 2020 study highlighted that there were 1.2 million snakebite deaths in India from 2000 to 2019, averaging about 58,000 deaths per year. Most fatalities and severe health consequences from snakebites are preventable with timely access to effective antivenoms.
The neurotoxins and hemotoxins in snake venom can cause severe symptoms, including blurred vision, difficulty breathing, pain, swelling, and hemorrhages. Prompt medical treatment is crucial to avoid fatalities and long-term health issues.
Santosh Lohar’s case underscores the persistent challenges and the influence of local beliefs in managing snakebites in India. His swift reaction, though unusual, highlights the urgent need for awareness and education on proper snakebite treatment to reduce mortality rates and improve outcomes for snakebite victims across the country.
