| What role do snakes play in ecosystems and their relationship with humans? | an integral part of the ecosystems in which they operate, and are related to humans in direct as well as indirect ways | Snakes are an integral part of the ecosystems in which they operate, and are related to humans in direct as well as indirect ways. Snakes play a significant role by feeding on a wide range of animals. | 11 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | Snakes are an integral part of the ecosystems in which they operate, and are related to humans in direct as well as indirect ways. | 8 | page=8,block=1 | 0.850 | valid |
| What is the purpose of the One Health approach? | achieving optimal health outcomes, recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment. | snake rescuers, the public and medical practitioners should be made aware of zoonotic diseases that may be transmitted due to snakebites. • The following measures are envisaged at HSC hotspots: – Veterinary capacities and infrastructure may be upgraded to facilitate disease monitoring in wildlife populations for both wildlife conservation and prevention of zoonotic diseases in human populations. – A well formulated Wildlife Health Management & Disease Surveillance Plan may be in place at every division/PA. – All personnel involved in capture operations may be trained, vaccinated and equipped. 8 One Health is a collaborative, multi-sectoral and trans-disciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national and global levels— with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes, recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment. – HSC mitigation and snake rescue training may involve the respective state health department, and the standard treatment guidelines and snakebite (STG) guidelines developed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare may be followed. | 757 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf |
| What kind of situations involving snakes require immediate intervention to prevent harm to humans or snakes? | situations that involve snakes in a position where any interaction can be potentially injurious or fatal to either humans or the snakes. | • Emergency or crisis situations can be defined as situations that are sudden, unexpected, have the potential to be serious (or are serious) in nature and therefore require immediate intervention in time and space, from concerned stakeholders, to minimise loss of lives and assets. In the present context, these would be situations that involve snakes in a position where any interaction can be potentially injurious or fatal to either humans or the snakes. • An indicative list of the potential emergency situations on a priority basis is as follows: i. Snakes taking shelter in a human habitation in case of floods ii. Livestock/poultry bitten by a venomous snake iii. Rescue of injured snakes iv. Snakes entering human-use areas (agricultural fields or settlements) v. A human has been killed/injured due to snakebite vi. | 321 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | In the present context, these would be situations that involve snakes in a position where any interaction can be potentially injurious or fatal to either humans or the snakes. • An indicative list of the potential emergency situations on a priority basis is as follows: i. |
| What type of disease is snakebite envenoming classified as? | a neglected tropical disease (NTD) | Addressing zoonotic and other emerging diseases, taking a One Health approach • Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) with a significant public health impact. The most vulnerable populations are those populations where the presence of venomous snakes overlaps with a lack of access to healthcare and effective treatment. Other than the venomous snakes, many harmless snakes also possess microbes and may act as vectors. Snakes live in habitats where various bacterial strains also exist. During handling of snakes or during snakebites, the oral microflora of the snakes may infect the bite victims. Pathogenic organisms carried by snakes greatly vary with species, season and geographical location. Usually, the relationship between snakebite and microbial infection is neglected during the treatment process. | 104 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | Addressing zoonotic and other emerging diseases, taking a One Health approach • Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) with a significant public health impact. | 16 | page=16,block=0 |
| What is Local public engagement? | a vital aspect of an HSC mitigation programme | Only through such education and awareness creation will the public reconcile themselves to sharing their space with snakes in a mutually beneficial way. Local public engagement is a vital aspect of an HSC mitigation programme. In the multi-tier collaborative initiative (from the grassroots level to the panchayat and SFD levels), humans (farmers, students, medical professionals) are important stakeholders. | 180 | definition | 0.980 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | Local public engagement is a vital aspect of an HSC mitigation programme. | 9 | page=9,block=0 | 0.850 | valid |
| What does an incident hotspot indicate? | Frequency of occurrence of incidences over a specific period in the past, such as 5 or 10 years, mapped over the target area | Hotspots can be identified and mapped as follows. – Incident hotspot: Frequency of occurrence of incidences over a specific period in the past, such as 5 or 10 years, mapped over the target area. The data include the number of incidences of injury and death and crop and property damage. | 70 | definition | 0.980 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | – Incident hotspot: Frequency of occurrence of incidences over a specific period in the past, such as 5 or 10 years, mapped over the target area. | 13 | page=13,block=0 | 0.700 | valid |
| What does dynamic HWC refer to? | shifting in space over years | There may be adequate vegetation cover in and around release sites to cushion a snake’s shock of release into a new, unfamiliar location. This may ensure that snakes do not stray out from release sites immediately after release, back into human settlements, in search of their basic life requirements. Researchers/biologists may be engaged along with the front-line staff (watchers, guards and foresters) in conducting an annual vegetation cover evaluation in such release sites. 5 ‘HWC hotspots’ are areas with actual or predicted repeated occurrences of HWC incidents resulting in crop-loss, livestock death, human death and injury and wildlife death and injury over temporal and spatial scales. The HWC can be static (repeated at the same place or time) or dynamic (shifting in space over years). | 769 | definition | 0.980 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | The HWC can be static (repeated at the same place or time) or dynamic (shifting in space over years). | 13 | page=13,block=0 | 0.700 | valid |
| What does static HWC refer to? | repeated at the same place or time | There may be adequate vegetation cover in and around release sites to cushion a snake’s shock of release into a new, unfamiliar location. This may ensure that snakes do not stray out from release sites immediately after release, back into human settlements, in search of their basic life requirements. Researchers/biologists may be engaged along with the front-line staff (watchers, guards and foresters) in conducting an annual vegetation cover evaluation in such release sites. 5 ‘HWC hotspots’ are areas with actual or predicted repeated occurrences of HWC incidents resulting in crop-loss, livestock death, human death and injury and wildlife death and injury over temporal and spatial scales. The HWC can be static (repeated at the same place or time) or dynamic (shifting in space over years). | 721 | definition | 0.980 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | The HWC can be static (repeated at the same place or time) or dynamic (shifting in space over years). | 13 | page=13,block=0 | 0.700 | valid |
| How can unnecessary snake rescue operations be prevented? | sensitising humans to coexist with non-venomous snakes | The person to whom the permission to hunt (capture and translocate) has been granted should ensure that the snake is not pushed into its burrow as this will cause injury and trauma to the snake. • Rescue operations involve both cost and time. Hence sensitising humans to coexist with non-venomous snakes can prevent unnecessary rescue operations. The awareness of the community regarding the identification of snakes, necessary precautions to avoid snakebites and steps to be taken in case of snakebites are important in dealing with future situations better. • If any exotic species of snake is sighted or rescued by a snake rescuer, this should be immediately brought to the notice of the concerned DFO. The snake needs to be captured and maintained in captivity. | 249 | relationship | 0.970 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | Hence sensitising humans to coexist with non-venomous snakes can prevent unnecessary rescue operations. | 16 | page=16,block=11 | 0.700 | valid |
| How do snakes differ from most wild animals in terms of their proximity to human living spaces? | Snakes, unlike most wild animals, are more likely to share the living space with humans in rural and urban landscapes alike | Snakes are an integral part of the ecosystems in which they operate, and are related to humans in direct as well as indirect ways. Snakes play a significant role by feeding on a wide range of animals. At the same time they also serve as prey to other animals. Some snakes are expert rodent hunters, controlling a significant population of rodents that are otherwise inaccessible to other predators. Snakes, unlike most wild animals, are more likely to share the living space with humans in rural and urban landscapes alike, in extremely close proximity. Notably, some of these snake species are potentially dangerous to humans. Close encounters of humans with snakes are, for the most part, inevitable, as these animals (including venomous species) have successfully adapted to live close to human habitations that provide easy prey. | 399 | relationship | 0.970 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/pdf/230303_Guidelines_Human-Snake_LowRes%20(1).pdf | Some snakes are expert rodent hunters, controlling a significant population of rodents that are otherwise inaccessible to other predators. Snakes, unlike most wild animals, are more likely to share the living space with humans in rural and urban landscapes alike, in extremely close proximity. |