Bhubaneswar: In an unusual event in the Jharsuguda district of Odisha, a young man reportedly killed a cobra by biting it after accidentally stepping on the snake. This bizarre action stemmed from his belief that retaliating by biting the snake would shield him from its venom.
The occurrence took place in the Laikera police station jurisdiction while Dharamsingh Khadia, a resident of Karmapada village, was en route to his agricultural field.
According to Khadia, he inadvertently stepped on the cobra, which then raised its hood and advanced towards him. Rather than retreating, he seized the snake and bit its neck, managing to kill it shortly thereafter.
After the incident, Khadia recounted that a traditional healer had advised him that if bitten by a snake, retaliating by biting the snake would prevent the venom from affecting his body.
Feeling unwell following the incident, Khadia was taken to Govindpur hospital by his family. Medical professionals assessed him and confirmed his condition was stable. He remained under observation for 24 hours as a precautionary measure.
Suvendu Mallik, a snakebite specialist and honorary secretary of Snake Helpline, noted that no bite marks were found on Khadia’s body. He emphasized, “The man bit the snake’s neck, not its head. We must carefully investigate the details of this incident,” stressing that any guidance suggesting one should bite a snake after being bitten is “entirely false and extremely hazardous.”
He also advocated for action against traditional healers who endorse such dangerous beliefs, highlighting that they can jeopardize lives.
Dr. Satyaprakash Dora from the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Kuchinda remarked that Khadia was fortunate not to have been bitten by the snake. “What he did was incorrect; one should never bite a cobra,” he advised.
Experts pointed out that there is no scientific foundation supporting the notion that biting a snake can counteract its venom. Snake venom does not become harmless simply because a person retaliates by biting the snake. Furthermore, attempting to capture or kill a snake may increase the risk of being bitten.
Dr. Ashok Acharya, Director of Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital in Bhubaneswar, stated, “A suspected snakebite should be treated as a medical emergency, and immediate medical attention should be sought instead of relying on traditional remedies or trying to handle the snake.”
