Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Kandy hosts inaugural World Congress on Snakes amid rising bite toll
Sri Lanka grapples with nearly 10,000 snakebite cases annually as the world's first international congress dedicated to snake-related issues convenes in Kandy for four days of scientific deliberation.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The 1st World Congress on Snakes – 2026 commenced in Kandy yesterday, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to address the escalating snakebite crisis. The inaugural four-day congress, organised under the theme of enhancing understanding and management of snake-related public health challenges, brings together international experts and researchers to share findings and develop coordinated responses to snakebite incidents.
Snakebites pose a substantial public health burden in Sri Lanka, with medical authorities reporting approximately 10,000 cases annually. Hundreds of fatalities are attributed to snakebite-related complications each year, underscoring the severity of the issue and the urgent need for improved prevention, treatment, and awareness strategies.
The congress represents a pivotal platform for scientists, medical professionals, and policymakers to exchange evidence-based practices and discuss innovative approaches to reducing snakebite mortality and morbidity across the region. Discussions are expected to focus on clinical management protocols, antivenom efficacy and distribution, community education initiatives, and epidemiological research aimed at identifying high-risk populations and geographic hotspots.
Experts attending the congress emphasise that coordinated international action is essential to address snakebite as a neglected public health threat, particularly in South and Southeast Asia where incidence rates remain among the highest globally.