According to officials from the Kyunhla Activists Group,  there have been 21 cases of snake- bites while attempting to escape from the ongoing conflict in Kanbalu Township, located in the Sagaing Region

An official from the Kyunhla Activists Group reported, "In June, there were nine victims of snakebites. The month is not yet over. In just over half a month, there have been nine cases. This month's count surpasses any other month since the coup.” He added that, “ four people were bitten by snakes in April, eight people in May, and another nine people in the first half of June.”

Among those bitten by snakes in June, five were women and four were men. These individuals were internally displaced persons (IDPs) originating from villages within the Chatthin subdistrict and Koetaungboet subdistrict.

A resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that in the Kanbalu district, this area is full of venomous vipers and cobras.

“The rising temperatures and a significant influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have contributed to a surge in the number of victims affected by venomous snake bites."In this scenario, the rainy season has exacerbated the situation. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) are not staying in the villages for long periods. Instead, they are setting up tents in nearby forests and mountains. Consequently, they engage in farming activities in their own fields, leading to a rise in the number of snakebite victims," the resident explained.

According to an individual responsible for treating snake bite victims in Kanbalu, the price of a single dose of snake antivenom (BPI) can reach up to 150,000 kyats. Since each snakebite victim requires a minimum of eight doses of antivenom, there is a pressing need for assistance in acquiring sufficient antivenom, as reported by the same source to KNG.

"There is a scarcity of antivenom available. In each village, we only have around 5 or 10 doses of antivenom. If someone gets bitten by a snake in this village, they have to borrow antivenom from neighboring villages and then repay it later. Such challenges persist," explained an individual involved in treating snakebite victims.

The same individual further emphasized the importance of wearing boots as a preventive measure against snake bites. In the event of a snakebite, he advised cleaning the first wound with a clean cloth, loosely bandaging it, immobilizing the affected limbs, and seeking immediate treatment at rural clinics or from individuals capable of providing appropriate medical care.

According to the IDPs, there have been a total of 78 individuals who fell victim to snake bites in Kanbalu Township, resulting in six deaths, including two children.

Following the military coup, Kanbalu Township experienced a series of devastating arson attacks by Military Council troops, leading to the destruction of 17 villages. As a result, over 30,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes due to the combined impact of the fires and ongoing conflict in the region.