Why in News?
The Maharashtra Government has declared snakebite a notifiable disease, making it mandatory for hospitals, medical colleges and healthcare professionals to report all suspected and confirmed snakebite cases and deaths. The decision follows the deaths of three tribal schoolgirls after a venomous snakebite at a school in Gadchiroli district on 9 August 2026.
What is a Notifiable Disease?
A notifiable disease is a disease that healthcare professionals or institutions are legally required to report to public health authorities when diagnosed. Such reporting helps governments monitor disease patterns, detect outbreaks early and plan appropriate prevention and control measures.
Key Features
- Mandatory Reporting: Cases must be reported to designated health authorities.Disease Surveillance: Helps track the spread and changing patterns of diseases.
- Early Detection: Supports timely identification of outbreaks.
- Public Health Planning: Provides data for designing prevention and treatment programmes.
- Disease Control: Enables authorities to take measures such as vaccination, isolation and contact tracing where required.
Examples of Notifiable Diseases
Depending on the country and applicable public-health regulations, diseases that may be subject to notification include: Tuberculosis, Cholera, Dengue, Malaria, Measles, Polio, Diphtheria, Whooping Cough (Pertussis), Rabies, Typhoid, Hepatitis, Leprosy, Influenza, Plague, Tetanus.
