Epidemiology of cobra bite in Manipal, Southern India.

Envenomation by poisonous snakes is considered as an occupational hazard. Cobra bite is commonly encountered in the South Asian countries. The prospective research was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal to study the epidemiology, manifestations and treatment of cobra snakebite cases admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal during August 2003 and November 2005. Twenty cases of cobra bite were reported during the study period. The victims of cobra bite predominantly were females. Mean age of victims was 41.9 years. Maximum cases occurred during the summer and pre-monsoon months, during daytime and involved the upper limbs. Ptosis was the chief neurotoxic feature followed by dysarthria. Cellulitis as a complication was observed in most of the cases. Polyvalent Anti Snake Venom (ASV) vials were used as specific treatment. No mortality was reported during the study period.