Case Station for Avoidable Snakebite Deaths (CaSA)
By Ms Lauren Macleod and Prof Nibedita S. Ray-Bennett
The Case Station for Avoidable Snakebite Deaths (CaSA) was launched on 19 September 2024 in Odisha, India, as an outcome of two research projects:
- Exploring the Feasibility and Value of Pioneering Partnerships to Reduce Avoidable Snakebite Deaths in India (2023); and
- Avoidable Deaths from Snakebites during Disasters in Odisha, India (2020 – 2022).
Nibedita Ray-Bennett led these projects from the University of Leicester in collaboration with 14+ collaborators in India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. 130 people attended the launch of CaSA, and the guest of honour was Ms Latika Pradhan, of the Legislative Assembly of Kavisuryanagar constituency.
Update on activities: We focused on developing two key networks: a local-level action network (LAN) and a knowledge exchange network (KEN).
LAN: The LAN model is being trialled in the Kodala Tehsil of Ganjam district (CaSA area). From 15 March 2024 onwards, 35 volunteers from high-risk groups (women, farmers, and herders) were mobilised to be the LAN ambassadors, representing three villages: Burujhari, Su Mondol and S. Chachina.
In 2024, we organised six outreach workshops and one meeting with the ambassadors, school children and teachers. In total, 338 people attended these workshops and the meeting. The outreach workshops are designed to orientate the ambassadors on preventing snakebite injuries and deaths through behaviour change communication (BCC) and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. The ambassadors are then expected to share the knowledge and BCC and IEC materials within their neighbourhood through courtyard meetings and home visits (among others). The workshops are assessed with pre- and post-polls through a structured questionnaire. The findings are published in a one-page highlight. This year, the BCC and IEC materials included Information, Education and Communication (IEC) on Snakes and Climate Change and debunking Myths and Misconceptions about Snakes and Snakebites, and Causes and Circumstances surrounding snakebites in Kodala Tehsil.
KEN: Since September 2023, the transdisciplinary KEN model has been trialled through the platform of a WhatsApp group. As of December 2024, this network comprises 74 members from 10+ countries and 40+ organisations representing industry experts from herpetology, antivenom science, medicine, disaster risk reduction, public health, risk communications, policy, and anthropology, among others. About 20 KEN members are involved in CaSA’s public awareness and education outreach activities. The members of KEN exchange knowledge related to new publications, empirical data of lives saved from different health facilities in India, and award-winning photos. They also seek expert advice in real-time on how to save a life from a snakebite.
Collaboration: Prof Nibedita Ray-Bennett is exploring local collaborations with Fakir Mohan University (Dept. Population Studies), Berhampur University (Centre of Excellence on Climate Change and Disaster Resilience (CECCDR)) and Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS).
Donation page: a donation page has been launched at the Institute for Environmental Futures to fund the Ambassador programme. More details can be found through this link Join The Fight.