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Health
Maharashtra declares snakebite deaths a notifiable disease after Gadchiroli school tragedy
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 20 Aug 2026, 09:53 AM
👁 22
Following the fatal snakebite incident that claimed three lives among six schoolgirls at a tribal ashram in Japtalai, Gadchiroli, the state health minister announced that snakebite deaths will now be recorded as a notifiable disease.
Six girls attending a tribal residential ashram school in Japtalai village, Dhanora taluka, Gadchiroli, were bitten by snakes on Monday. Three of the victims succumbed to the envenomation despite emergency treatment, prompting widespread concern in the district.
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said the state will now treat deaths caused by snakebites as a notifiable disease under the public health framework. He instructed the Public Health Department to issue guidelines for immediate reporting of all snakebite incidents and fatalities to district health officials.
The move aims to improve data collection, enable faster medical response, and guide preventive measures in high‑risk tribal areas. Health officials will train frontline workers, stock anti‑venom kits, and launch awareness campaigns to reduce future tragedies.
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said the state will now treat deaths caused by snakebites as a notifiable disease under the public health framework. He instructed the Public Health Department to issue guidelines for immediate reporting of all snakebite incidents and fatalities to district health officials.
The move aims to improve data collection, enable faster medical response, and guide preventive measures in high‑risk tribal areas. Health officials will train frontline workers, stock anti‑venom kits, and launch awareness campaigns to reduce future tragedies.