In a remarkable display of courage and presence of mind, a 38-year-old woman from Odisha’s Malkangiri district carried the venomous snake that bit her to the hospital, helping doctors quickly identify the species and begin the correct treatment.
The incident took place in Kurumpali village, where Manima Nayak was bitten on the foot by a venomous Russell’s viper. Despite the pain, she managed to catch the snake, sealed it inside a plastic container, and informed her family before being rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
Doctors said bringing the snake made it easier to identify the species and administer the appropriate anti-venom without delay. After receiving timely treatment, Manima’s condition improved, and she was later shifted to the district headquarters hospital for further care.
Medical experts, however, advise that people should never attempt to catch a snake after a bite, as it can be extremely dangerous. Instead, they recommend seeking immediate medical attention and, if possible, taking a clear photo of the snake from a safe distance to assist doctors with identification.
There is no follow up on the snake relase but Russell’s Viper is protected under Indian wildlife laws, making its safe release by rescue teams the standard practice once its “diagnostic duties” at the hospital were over.
