Prevention is better than cure : snakebite education in India

Snakebite remains one of the most neglected of all tropical ‘diseases’, only recently getting the attention it deserves from the international health community. After the prolonged period of neglect by medical science, this disinterest in snakebite has resulted in a lack of environmental education and awareness among the communities in rural areas regarding measures to improve their everyday life, work, and healthcare. This is the first project in Himachal Pradesh to provide educational awareness to local risk groups and stakeholders. The geographical size and terrain of Himachal Pradesh makes repeated studies unachievable for a small team operating with limited funds. Additionally, independent work undertaken by different groups results in inconsistencies in education and training delivered, making further or wider research impossible due to lack of comparability. There is an urgent requirement for a collaborative approach between existing and new groups. A multi-component and interdisciplinary approach, involving stakeholders in many different realms, should be implemented urgently