Class 1 Student Hospitalised After Snakebite In Kolkata Government School

A class 1 student of Mitra Institution in the Bhabanipur area in the southern part of the city was allegedly bitten by a snake at around 8.30 am on Monday during a tiffin break at school, officials said.

The child, identified as Drupto Pal, a resident of Tollygunge, was taken by the authorities of the government-run school to SSKM Hospital, where he was admitted and kept under observation.

"The boy is currently under treatment, and his condition is stable. He has been kept under observation. Tests were conducted, and further treatment will depend on his clinical condition and reports," a senior hospital official said.

This was the second snakebite incident in the city involving schoolchildren within a week, the earlier one having taken place at a prominent private school where a class 3 student had to be hospitalised.

The latest incident in a government-run school triggered a search of the school premises by the state forest department.

Officials inspected classrooms and checked CCTV footage, but found no snake. The school authorities also decided to close the institution early while the premises were being inspected.

The Bhawanipore incident came just six days after a Class 3 girl at The Heritage School was reportedly bitten by a snake inside a washroom on the school campus on August 18.

She was taken to a private hospital, where doctors said the snake was likely non-venomous as she showed no symptoms of envenomation. She was discharged the following day.

The two incidents, occurring in different parts of the city but within school premises, have brought renewed attention to the need for regular inspection of school grounds, washrooms, gardens and other potentially vulnerable areas, particularly during the monsoon, when snakes can move out of waterlogged or disturbed habitats.

Although neither incident resulted in a fatality, the back-to-back cases have heightened anxiety among parents of schoolchildren.

"The incidents also underline the importance of schools having clear emergency-response protocols for snakebites and ensuring that children receive prompt medical attention rather than relying on traditional remedies," a parent said. 

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