Kerala Considers Classifying Snakebite as Notifiable Disease Under Public Health Act

Kochi | June 12, 2025 — The Kerala High Court has been informed that the state government is actively considering a proposal to designate snakebite envenomation as a notifiable disease under the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023.

During the hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation concerning the lack of adequate medical infrastructure for treating snakebite victims, the court noted that the Director of Health Services had submitted a proposal to this effect, which is currently under review by the government.

The matter originally came to judicial attention following the tragic death of a school student in 2019 after a snakebite, which sparked widespread concern over emergency response and medical readiness, especially in rural and school settings.

In the latest proceedings, the High Court reviewed a circular issued on May 30, 2025, by the Additional Director of General Education. The directive places the responsibility of medical preparedness, training, and first response protocols on school authorities. However, the division bench, led by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen, expressed concern that the circular lacked sufficient clarity and operational guidance for schools to handle such emergencies effectively.

“The circular appears to shift the burden to educational institutions without ensuring necessary interdepartmental support or providing actionable frameworks,” the bench observed. Emphasising the need for a coordinated response, the court recommended the active involvement of the Local Self Government Department, the Health Department, and the Forest Department in formulating an effective action plan.

In its directive, the court ordered that the circular be placed before the Chief Secretary of the Government of Kerala. The Chief Secretary has been tasked with reviewing the policy and issuing necessary instructions to integrate the expertise and support of the concerned departments to create a comprehensive strategy for snakebite management in schools and communities.

"The objective," the bench noted, "is to ensure that schools are not isolated in their efforts, and that a robust, interdepartmental mechanism is developed to respond to snakebite incidents swiftly and effectively."

The court will continue to monitor the implementation of its directions and the progress of the proposal under the Public Health Act in future hearings.