Doctors urge public not to catch or transport snakes after East Champaran hospital incident causes panic
Panic broke out at a government hospital in Bihar after a snakebite patient arrived carrying the live cobra that had allegedly bitten him. A video of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the patient opening a container holding the snake, leaving doctors, patients and hospital staff stunned.
The incident occurred at Sadar Hospital in East Champaran district, where the patient was brought for treatment after suffering a snakebite. Doctors treated him promptly and kept him under observation as a precaution.
According to reports, the man was bitten while attempting to rescue a baby cobra. Instead of leaving the snake behind, he reportedly caught it, placed it inside a small container and carried it to the hospital before seeking medical attention.
The situation took an unexpected turn when the patient opened the container inside the hospital to show doctors the snake that had allegedly bitten him. The sight of the live cobra created panic among patients, attendants and healthcare workers, with many quickly moving away from the area while others watched from a safe distance. Videos of the incident later surfaced on social media.
Hospital doctors immediately examined the patient and initiated treatment for the snakebite. After providing first aid and evaluating his condition, they found him to be stable. As a precautionary measure, the patient was kept under medical observation for approximately 12 hours before further assessment.
Following the incident, doctors strongly advised the public not to catch, handle or transport snakes after a snakebite. They emphasised that attempting to capture the snake can increase the risk of additional bites and endanger both the victim and those nearby.
Medical experts recommended that anyone bitten by a snake should seek immediate treatment at the nearest healthcare facility without delay and allow trained professionals to manage the emergency safely.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of public awareness regarding the safe management of snakebite emergencies and the need to prioritise timely medical care over attempting to identify or capture the snake.
