Myth A tight rope above the bite stops the venom.
Fact It does not stop venom. It cuts off blood flow, can cost the person their limb, and loosening it later can make them suddenly worse.
Emergency guide
Snakebite Emergency
Most snakebites can be treated when the person reaches a hospital in time. Stay calm, keep the person still and go to the nearest hospital with antivenom straight away.
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Hospital, not ojha
Antivenom given in a hospital is the only proven treatment for a venomous snakebite.
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Don't wait for symptoms
Go to hospital straight away — signs can take hours to appear.
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Painless can still be deadly
A krait bite at night while sleeping may cause little or no pain.
What to do now
First aid, step by step
Do these things in order, then get the person to hospital as fast as you safely can.
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Move away from the snake
Calmly step out of its reach. Do not try to catch or kill it — that leads to more bites. A photo from a safe distance can help the doctor.
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Keep the person calm and still
Movement helps venom spread. Lay them down, reassure them and stay with them.
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Remove rings, bangles and tight clothing
The bitten part may swell quickly. Take off rings, bangles, watches, anklets and shoes near the bite.
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Keep the bitten arm or leg still
Support it with a splint or sling, as you would for a broken bone. Do not tie it tightly.
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Go to hospital immediately
Go to the nearest hospital that has antivenom — call 999 for an ambulance. Carry the person if you can; do not let them walk or run. Note the time of the bite.
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Watch their breathing on the way
If they vomit, turn them onto their left side. If breathing stops, give rescue breaths if you are trained, and keep going to hospital.
Do and don't
Do
- Stay calm and reassure the person
- Note the time of the bite
- Remove rings, bangles and tight items
- Keep the bitten limb still with a splint or sling
- Go to the nearest hospital with antivenom at once
- Tell the doctor what the snake looked like (or show a photo)
- Go to hospital even if there is no pain
Don't
- Don't tie a tight rope, cloth or tourniquet
- Don't cut, burn or suck the wound
- Don't put herbs, chemicals, mud or ice on the bite
- Don't go to an ojha, kabiraj or snake charmer
- Don't give alcohol, aspirin or other painkillers like ibuprofen
- Don't try to catch or kill the snake
- Don't let the person walk or run if you can avoid it
Watch for these
Check the symptoms
Tick what you notice. Whatever you tick, a snakebite always needs a hospital check — signs can take hours to appear.
Danger sign. This could be venom acting. Go to the nearest hospital with antivenom now — call 999 if you need an ambulance.
Call 999No danger signs ticked — but this does not mean the bite is harmless. Go to hospital and stay under observation for at least 24 hours.
Where to go
Hospitals with antivenom
Find the nearest hospital. If you can, call before you travel to confirm antivenom is in stock — but never delay going.
2 hospitals
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Medical College Hospital Antivenom available
Chittagong Medical College Hospital
Chattogram, Chattogram
Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Panchlaish, Chattogram
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District / Sadar Hospital Call first to confirm
Khagrachhari District Hospital
Khagrachhari, Khagrachhari
Molla Para, Hospital Road, Khagrachari Sadar.
Know the truth
Myths that cost lives
Myth An ojha or kabiraj can remove the venom.
Fact No traditional method removes venom. Time lost before reaching hospital is one of the main reasons people die from snakebite. Only antivenom works.
Myth Cutting the wound and sucking out the venom helps.
Fact It removes almost no venom and causes bleeding and infection.
Myth No pain means the snake was not venomous.
Fact Krait bites are often painless, yet they can be deadly hours later. Every bite needs a hospital check.
Myth All snakes are venomous.
Fact Most snakes in Bangladesh are harmless and help control rats. Still, treat every bite as an emergency until a doctor says otherwise.
Myth Snakes drink milk and take revenge.
Fact Snakes do not drink milk and do not remember or follow people.
Stay safe
How to prevent snakebite
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Sleep under a mosquito net
Kraits come out at night and bite people sleeping on the floor. Sleep on a raised bed if you can, with the net tucked in well.
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Use a torch at night
Light your path when you walk outside after dark, especially in the rainy season.
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Wear shoes in fields and gardens
Boots or closed shoes protect your feet when working in fields, grass or water.
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Keep your home rat-free
Store grain in closed containers and clear rubbish, wood piles and tall grass — rats attract snakes.
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Look before you reach
Check before putting your hands into holes, straw, wood piles or under stones.
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Never try to kill a snake
Many bites happen when people try to catch or kill snakes. Call a rescue team instead.
Snake in your home?
Keep children and pets away, keep an eye on where it goes from a safe distance, and call our rescue team. We will move it safely — please don't try to kill it.
Medical note: This page gives general first-aid information based on World Health Organization guidance and Bangladesh's national guidelines for snakebite management. It is not a substitute for medical care. After any snakebite, go to the nearest hospital immediately.