Maharashtra Declares Snakebite Notifiable Disease After Tribal Schoolgirls' Deaths

Maharashtra has declared snakebite a notifiable disease, mandating every hospital, medical college, and private practitioner to report suspected or confirmed cases to health authorities — a direct response to the deaths of three tribal schoolgirls at a residential ashram in Gadchiroli. Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced the notification on Tuesday, calling it essential for "effective monitoring of snakebite incidents, timely treatment and planning for the...