Overview

• Peer-reviewed findings in Frontiers in Tropical Disease detail three post-mortem envenoming cases reported in August 2025.
• Two incidents involved Indian monocled cobras (Naja kaouthia) in Sivasagar and one involved a black krait (Bungarus lividus) in Boko, with patients treated at rural community health centres.
• A black krait that had been dead for three hours produced severe neurotoxic symptoms, and the patient improved after 43 hours of respiratory support and was discharged on day six.
• All three patients received 20 vials of polyvalent antivenom, with hospital stays reported up to 25 days and one case complicated by an ulcer from cytotoxic effects.
• The authors describe these as the first recorded cases for cobras and kraits and warn the public and clinicians to avoid handling dead or decapitated snakes, noting stored venom can be expelled through hollow fangs if the head is pressed.