The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in a notice on Saturday urged everyone to take caution and create awareness about venomous Russell鈥檚 vipers.
In response to the growing concern over the spread of the Russell鈥檚 vipers across various parts of the country, the ministry in the notice issued an eight-point guideline to ensure public safety.
Health minister Samanta Lal Sen during a virtual meeting with health officials and physicians across the country urged all hospitals to ensure an adequate stock of antivenom.
The ministry, however, advised all not to catch or kill Russell鈥檚 vipers if encountered and to call the national helpline number 333 or notify the nearest forest department office in case of an emergency.
The notice stressed the need for heightened vigilance as Russell鈥檚 vipers, known for their swimming abilities, had moved into new areas, raising panic among the people.
The ministry advised all to take great caution when driving in regions where Russell鈥檚 vipers were seen.
It also urged people to stay alert while walking in tall grass, bushes, and agricultural zones and avoid coming close to holes.
The guidelines also included wearing boots and long trousers when working in areas known to have been affected, using a torch while moving at night and maintaining a clean environment around home.
The guidelines also advised the people to be extremely cautious when handling fallen trees, firewood, and straw.
Health minister Samanta Lal Sen during the virtual meeting emphasised the importance of quickly taking snakebite victims to doctors.
鈥楶rompt medical intervention can completely cure a patient,鈥� he said.
The minister also stressed the importance of raising public awareness about snakebites.
Recently, the media reported the presence of the Russell鈥檚 vipers in certain areas of the north-western region of Bangladesh, particularly in districts and grasslands along the banks of the Padma River which caused panic and sparked discussions among the people.
The media also reported some incidents of people being injured or killed due to the snakebites that were going viral on social media.
