As the climate crisis deepens and reshapes ecosystems across the globe, new challenges for public health are emerging in unexpected forms. Among these is a worrying trend unfolding in India, a country that bears the unfortunate distinction of experiencing the highest number of snakebite fatalities worldwide. Recent research published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases has illuminated how climate change may intensify risks related to venomous snakebites by altering the geographical distribution of the so-called Big Four venomous snakes—species primarily responsible for the majority of medically significant snakebite envenomations in India.
India suffers an annual death toll from snakebites estimated at between 46,000 and 60,000, making this a significant and often overlooked public health crisis. The Big Four, which includes the Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), Indian cobra (Naja naja), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), and saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus), have long been recognized as the primary hazards in envenomation cases. However, until now, limited comprehensive analysis has been available on how climate change-induced shifts in the habitats of these species might influence the geographic distribution of envenomation risks across India.
The study, conducted by Imon Abedin and colleagues at the Dibru-Saikhowa Conservation Society and collaborators in the Republic of Korea, applies sophisticated computational modeling techniques to project how future climatic scenarios will drive the range expansions, contractions, or shifting habitats of the Big Four over the next five decades. By integrating ecological niche modeling with climate projection data, they simulated how these snakes might migrate in response to changes in temperature, precipitation, and habitat suitability, thereby illuminating emerging snakebite hotspots.
In analyzing these predictive models, the research employed multiple climate scenarios that factor in various greenhouse gas emission trajectories as projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The models suggest a discernible northward and northeastward shift of the Big Four’s distributions, corresponding directly to areas previously considered lower risk for snakebites. This redistribution implies that regions in Northern and Northeastern India may encounter heightened envenomation burdens, imposing new demands on local healthcare systems and public health policy frameworks.
Beyond ecological predictions, the researchers innovatively combined socioeconomic indicators and public health capacity data to construct a comprehensive snakebite risk index at both district and state levels. This index is designed to quantify not only the biological hazard posed by venomous snake presence but also the community vulnerability shaped by factors such as healthcare accessibility, population density, and economic development. Such a multifaceted metric holds promise for identifying areas where medical infrastructure must urgently adapt to an evolving epidemiological landscape.
Nevertheless, the authors meticulously acknowledge the limitations inherent in their modeling approach. Snake occurrence data in India, particularly from rural and remote regions, is often incomplete or biased due to the challenges of field data collection. Undercounting snake populations can skew model accuracy. Furthermore, anthropogenic factors such as land-use change, urban development, and habitat degradation introduce ecological complexities that predictive modeling cannot fully capture. These variables can drastically alter snake behavior and habitat preference independently of climate effects.
The implications of these findings extend far beyond ecological curiosity. As the authors articulate, shifting snake ranges portend escalating human-snake interactions, which could fuel higher incidence of venomous bites in both urban and rural communities. This presents an urgent challenge for public health stakeholders, not only in terms of emergency response and clinical treatment but also in the realm of antivenom research and production logistics. Antivenom supply chains, already strained, will need to anticipate geographic shifts in demand to avoid life-threatening shortages.
Additionally, the study’s integration of species distribution projections with socioeconomic vulnerability represents a pioneering direction in One Health research, underscoring the interconnectivity between environmental change and human wellbeing. It highlights climate change as a multifaceted crisis that transcends environmental degradation, implicating health outcomes and socio-economic disparities in vulnerable populations. Such an approach could guide more nuanced policy interventions, targeting resources towards regions forecasted to become future snakebite hotspots.
Public health strategies informed by these insights must adopt a proactive stance. Early warning systems, community education tailored to newly affected regions, and strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure will be critical components of mitigating the snakebite burden. Moreover, investment into antivenom development must consider the evolving venom profiles associated with snake population dynamics, especially as species mix changes and novel interspecies interactions occur.
This study marks a critical step in expanding awareness and scientific understanding of snakebite envenomation within the broader context of climate change impacts. Its methodological framework serves as a blueprint for similar assessments in other tropical regions where venomous snake species intersect densely populated human settlements. Ultimately, addressing the looming snakebite crisis requires a multidisciplinary effort encompassing ecology, climate science, public health, and community engagement.
As India prepares to confront this emerging challenge, the study authors emphasize the importance of collaborative international research partnerships, leveraging regional expertise and global climate data. Only through sustained, integrated efforts will policymakers and scientists be equipped to navigate the complex interface between biodiversity shifts and human health risks in the coming decades.
In conclusion, climate change is not simply an environmental issue confined to shifts in temperature and weather patterns. It is increasingly recognized as a catalyst for cascading impacts that affect the health and safety of human populations in multifarious ways. The future landscape of snakebite risk in India exemplifies this intersection vividly, calling for urgent attention and innovative responses that bridge disciplines and sectors to save lives.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Future of snakebite risk in India: Consequence of climate change and the shifting habitats of the big four species in next five decades
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013464
References: 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.
Image Credits: Dhritiman Mukherjee (CC-BY 4.0)
Keywords: snakebite risk, climate change, India, Big Four venomous snakes, species distribution modeling, public health, envenomation, Russell’s viper, antivenom, ecological niche modeling
