8-year-old dies after bitten by snake while sleeping at home

Thrissur: An eight-year-old boy died after a snake bit him while he was sleeping at his home in Kodaly Kadambode near Kodakara, Thrissur, on Sunday.The deceased has been identified as Aljo Siljo. His brother Anosh Siljo (10) has also been reportedly bitten by the snake and is in a serious condition at a hospital at Karukutty.The children complained of abdominal pain early Sunday morning, but the family suspected it to be due to food poisoning as they had consumed food at a party along with family members on Saturday evening. But when the children's condition worsened, they took them to a local hospital at Kodaly around 5am. Doctors there suspected it to be a snakebite case. They were then taken to a private hospital in Chalakkudy. Aljo died on the way. Anosh was shifted later to a private hospital in Karukutty.Family friends and relatives searched the victims' house later and they located a common krait in the room.Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Livestock Production and Management Department faculty member Dr Biju S said common krait, which has highly venomous neurotoxic poison, is among the 10 most poisonous snakes in the world. The snake, which is small, has thin teeth and in some cases its bite may even go unnoticed. Administration of anti-venom medicines at the earliest is crucial for treatment of patients bitten by common krait, Dr Biju said.Echoing a similar view, Dr Jayadeep C Menon of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, said it is important to keep the body portion bitten by snakes immobilised and ensure that the person remains calm."Even a well-tucked mosquito net can reduce the possibilities of bites by common kraits which are mainly nocturnal species. It is better to assume that suspected snake bites are real cases, if the incident happens in an area where the presence of snakes is common. And the most crucial action is to take the patient immediately to a hospital where anti-venom administration facilities are available and not rely on some magic remedies or unscientific healing methods," Dr Jayadeep said.Keeping surroundings clean is important to reduce snake bites, according to Dr P O Nameer, professor (Wildlife) and head, Centre for Wildlife Studies, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University. Stranglers and vines close to houses are potential facilitators for snakes. Hanging trees over houses are another threat.While Aljo was a second-standard student at the Kadambode aided LP school, Anosh is studying in Class IV in the same school.