India records the highest number of snakebite fatalities worldwide, between 46,000-60,000 annually. A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases by Imon Abedin at Dibru-Saikhowa Conservation Society, Tinsukia, India and colleagues suggests that climate change-related shifts in the geographic distribution of venomous snakes will increase the risk of snakebites in certain regions.
The Big Four refers to four venomous snake species responsible for the greatest number of medically significant human snakebite cases on the Indian subcontinent. However, how changing geographic distribution of these species due to climate change may affect envenomation risk across India has not been assessed. In order to better understand how climate change might change different regions' exposure to venomous snakes, researchers analyzed predictive models visualizing current and future geographic distribution of the Big Four species under different climate scenarios. The researchers then analyzed regional socioeconomic and public health data to develop a snakebite risk index for Indian districts and states over the next 50 years.
The researchers found that climate change may shift geographic distribution of the Big Four into the Northern and Northeastern states increasing snakebite risks in India. The study had several limitations, however, and future studies attempting replication are needed. The accuracy of the prediction models is contingent on data quality and snake occurrence is difficult to document in large, rural regions, leading to potential undercounting. Additionally, the compounded effects of land use change, urbanization, and habitat degradation may limit the value of predictive models on snake distribution.
According to the authors, "Climate change is altering snake species' geographic ranges, resulting in expansions, contractions, or shifting ranges. Such changes may increase human-snake interactions across rural and urban areas, presenting new challenges for public health and medical management. Consequentially, to mitigate snakebite risk in affected regions, it is essential to implement strategies that enhance decision-making in healthcare delivery, antivenom research, and production capabilities."
"This is the first study in India to integrate climate-based species distribution models with socioeconomic vulnerability and healthcare capacity," the authors noted. "It shows that climate change is not just an environmental crisis but it's also a looming public health crisis."
In your coverage, please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: https://plos.io/4oFE251
Citation: Abedin I, Kang H-E, Saikia H, Jung W-K, Kim H-W, Kundu S (2025) Future of snakebite risk in India: Consequence of climate change and the shifting habitats of the big four species in next five decades. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 19(9): e0013464. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013464
Author countries: India, Republic of Korea
Funding: This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (RS-2021-NR060118). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
