Eight-year-old in Kerala succumbs to snakebite in sleep; sibling in critical condition

Thrissur: An eight-year-old boy has died following a suspected snakebite while he was sleeping beside his mother in Kadambode near Kodaly, Thrissur.

Aljo, the son of Siljo and Johnson of Kavungal, was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. His elder brother, Anjo (10), is currently in critical condition and undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karukutty.

The two children had been sleeping with their mother when the incident is believed to have occurred. At around 5:30 am, Anjo woke his mother, who found both boys in a weakened state. They were immediately taken by motorcycle to a nearby ambulance driver’s house and then rushed to hospital. However, Aljo had already died by the time they arrived.

Earlier in the night, at around 2 am, both children had complained of stomach pain and were given boiled water. As they had consumed homemade juice the previous day, the family initially suspected food poisoning.

It was only after hospital staff raised the possibility of a snakebite that the family returned home to investigate. During a search of the house, a snake was reportedly seen emerging from the bedroom. It is suspected that the snake bit Aljo on the lip.

Aljo was a Class 2 pupil at Kadambode A.L.P. School. His sister, Angel, was staying at her mother’s family home in Vellikkulangara at the time of the incident.