Researchers Document First Human Deaths From Caspian Cobra in India

A case report in Epidemiology International documented the first confirmed human snakebite deaths in India caused by the Caspian cobra, also called the Central Asian cobra.

The study detailed two fatalities and two survivals in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, with victims bitten in July 2020 and July 2021 before succumbing to neurotoxic effects.

Researchers noted that the commercially available anti-snake venom covering the country's 'big four' species does not effectively neutralise the venom components of the Caspian cobra.