Snakebite Case / Man Bites Spectacled Cobra After Accidentally Stepping On It in Odisha

Sambalpur, Aug 10: In a bizarre incident, a man bit a spectacled cobra after accidentally stepping on the snake, leading to the death of the reptile in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district.

The incident occurred in Karmapada near Pakelpada village in Jharsuguda district, where Dharam Singh Khadia was on his way to a field when he accidentally stepped on a cobra lying on the road, a source said Monday.

The snake immediately raised its hood, frightening Khadia. In a panic, he caught hold of the cobra with his hands and bit its head, eventually tearing apart its hood. The snake sustained severe injuries and died at the spot.

According to Khadia, his unusual reaction was influenced by a belief he had previously heard from a local traditional healer. He said he had been told that if a person was bitten by a snake, biting the snake in return would prevent its venom from affecting the person.

“When I accidentally came across the spectacled cobra, it immediately attacked me. I was told that if someone wants to hold a snake, they should always grip it from the head. Then, I tore the snake apart from its head as I was told that in this way its venom will not affect the human body,” Khadia said.

Following the incident, Khadia began feeling unwell. His family immediately took him to Gobindpur Community Health Centre in neighbouring Sambalpur district, where doctors examined him.

Although his condition was reported to be stable after the medical examination, he has been kept under observation for 24 hours as a precautionary measure.

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The incident has since become a talking point in the local area, particularly because of Khadia’s unusual response to encountering the snake.

However, the belief that biting or attacking a snake can prevent its venom from affecting a person is completely unfounded and potentially dangerous. A person should never attempt to catch, bite or handle a snake following a snake-bite incident.

Medical attention should be sought immediately after a suspected snake bite, as venom can cause serious complications and potentially become life-threatening. Attempting to retaliate against or handle the snake can also expose a person to additional risks.

The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of relying on unverified traditional beliefs during a medical emergency.