Case Station for Avoidable Snakebite Deaths
By Mr Adewumi Otonne and Prof. Nibedita S. Ray-Bennett
The Case Station for Avoidable Snakebite Deaths (CaSA) was launched on September 19, 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). Prof. 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. One hundred and thirty people attended the launch of CaSA, with Ms Latika Pradhan, of the Legislative Assembly for the Kavisuryanagar constituency, as the guest of honour. These projects led to the launching of two key networks: a local-level action network (LAN) and a knowledge exchange network (KEN). CaSA is an example of a LAN. We have provided the 2025 updates to LAN and KEN below.
LAN: Based on the Ambassadors’ suggestion, the outreach workshop was planned for June 2024 in three villages of Ganjam District (viz., Burujhari, Chachina, and Su Mondal). The workshop was postponed to October due to the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis. Additionally, we faced several challenges, including the departure of the field coordinator, the termination of collaboration with the Orissa State Volunteers Social Workers Association, and declining motivation among the Ambassadors. These issues led to the discontinuation of activities in the three CaSA villages: Burujhari, Chachina, and Su Mondol. As a result, a new strategy was conceived: (i) to form a new partnership with Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS)—a grassroots NGO, and (ii) to adopt the model of the Case Station for Tsunami Deaths in Japan. This model uses a school as a case station site rather than a community.
On October 15, 2025, facilitated by BGVS, Prof. Nibedita Ray-Bennett and Dr Hideyuki Shiroshita attended the outreach workshop at the Raipur Gram Panchayat (GP) in Puroshotampur Block of Ganjam District. This GP was selected due to BGVS’s strong ties with the Sarpanch and its robust network, making it a suitable site for establishing a CaSA. Additionally, the GP is located near the frequently flooding River Rushkuliya.
A total of 35–40 participants, aged 10-55, participated in the session. Prof. Ray-Bennett and Dr. Shiroshita talked about myths and misconceptions about snakes and snakebites, incorporating insights from Talukdar et al. (2025) on the “decapitated snakehead.” They emphasised the importance of the “golden hour”—the 60-minute window during which patients bitten by venomous snakes should receive anti-venom.
The team also organised an outreach workshop for Class 8 students in the same district. More than 100 boys and girls attended the workshop. One key outcome was the agreement that the CaSA activities would be hosted at the Upgraded High School of Raipur going forward. The new CaSA activities will be showcased in January to align with Hama Elementary’s schedule. This event will involve parents, local government officials, and students from all year groups. Other schools, as well as members of the press and media, will be invited.
You can read the full Highlight of the outreach Workshop through this link: https://www.avoidable-deaths.net/case-station-for-avoidable-snakebite-deaths-casa/
KEN: Since September 2023, the transdisciplinary KEN model has been trialled through a WhatsApp group. As of December 14, 2025, this network includes 73 members from over 10 countries and more than 40 organisations, representing industry experts in 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.
In total, 169 media items, over 18 documents, and 88 web links have been shared to promote knowledge exchange on snakebite prevention, disseminate vital information, and share workshop or outreach experiences and results. KEN members exchange knowledge about new publications, empirical data on lives saved across various health facilities in India, research updates, and award-winning photos and films. The members also sought real-time expert advice on how to save a life from snakebite.
Donation page: a donation page has been launched at the Institute for Environmental Futures to fund the CaSA’s Ambassador programme. More details can be found through this link: Join The Fight.
References:
Thakur, S., Giri, S., Choudhary, G., Nath, H. and Doley, R., 2025. Death to bite: a case report of dead snake envenoming and treatment. Frontiers in Tropical Diseases, 6, p.1644239