5 days ago
Herpetologist Urges Schoolchildren to Stay Calm Around Snakes
A herpetologist taught schoolchildren what to do if they see a snake or are bitten.
He said children should stay calm and tell an adult right away.
They should never touch or surround a snake.
They should also avoid putting their hands into dark or hidden places.
A girl at The Heritage School was bitten in a washroom but did not show signs of venom poisoning.
A boy at Mitra Institution was taken to SSKM Hospital and given antivenom after a suspected snakebite.
Adults should quickly take anyone bitten to a hospital that can treat snakebites.
They should not tie anything around the bite, cut it, suck it, or put substances on it.
The lesson also covered safety around bees, caterpillars, centipedes, and scorpions.
Herpetologist Anirban Chaudhuri urged children to stay calm and immediately alert an adult if they see a snake.
Children should not touch, corner, photograph, or block a snake’s escape route, even if it appears dead.
A Class III student at The Heritage School was bitten in a washroom last week but showed no signs of envenomation.
A Class I student at Mitra Institution received antivenom at SSKM Hospital after a suspected Russell’s viper bite.
Adults should arrange rapid transport to an equipped medical facility and avoid tourniquets, cutting, sucking, ice, chemicals, herbs, food, and drinks.
- Who
- Herpetologist Anirban Chaudhuri addressed students and teachers, with principal Seema Sapru also speaking; the guidance followed snakebites involving students at The Heritage School and Mitra Institution.
- What
- A school safety session explained how children should respond to snakes, snakebites, and other potentially dangerous creatures.
- Where
- The session took place at The Heritage School and addressed risks in schools, homes, and outdoor areas such as hiking sites.
- When
- The awareness session was held on Thursday; the Heritage School student was bitten the previous week.
- Why
- The session aimed to help children and teachers respond safely, avoid panic, and obtain appropriate medical treatment quickly.
Key facts
- Instructor
- Herpetologist and researcher Anirban Chaudhuri
- Heritage School incident
- A Class III girl was bitten by a snake in a school washroom, showed no signs of envenomation, and resumed school on Monday.
- Mitra Institution incident
- A Class I boy bitten at school was taken to SSKM Hospital and administered antivenom.
- Suspected snake
- Hospital authorities suspected the Mitra Institution snake was a Russell’s viper.
- Immediate response
- Children should alert an adult immediately and avoid panicking or making up snake sightings as pranks.
- Medical guidance
- Adults should note the bite time, watch for symptoms, and arrange rapid transport to a suitably equipped medical facility.
- Additional creatures discussed
- Honey bees, moth caterpillars, centipedes, and scorpions.
Quotes
Anirban Chaudhuri
Herpetologist who conducted the school snake-safety awareness session
“The session was for children and teachers to orient them about their individual responsibilities. Children should not panic but inform an adult. They should also not make up stories as a prank or to scare their peers.”
telegraphindia.com
“They should not tie a rope or band around the bite or cut, burn or suck the wound. The bitten person should not be given tea, coffee, food or drink. Ice, chemicals or herbs should not be applied to the bite.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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