A patient carried a Russell's viper inside a plastic bag to a hospital to help doctors identify the species and treat him.

Footage shows the man holding the highly venomous snake in a transparent sack in front of stunned physicians in Rajasthan, India, on July 15.

He can be seen raising one arm above his head while saying: 'This is the one that bit me, please treat me quickly.'

Local media reported that doctors were able to treat the man successfully, crediting both his timely arrival at the hospital and the fact that he brought the snake with him.

The Russell's viper is a deadly species that can grow up to 5ft (1.5 m). It is considered dangerous due to its potent venom, which can cause severe bleeding, kidney failure, and tissue necrosis, often leading to death if not treated immediately.

In a similar case on June 20, another man who had been bitten by a snake walked into a hospital and pulled out a live snake from his backpack to ensure doctors administered the correct antivenom.

Prekash Mandal, 48, had reportedly been bitten by a viper that slithered into his room while he was sleeping in Bhagalpur, Bihar, on October 15. He also made a full recovery after receiving prompt medical attention.

India records more than 58,000 snakebite deaths annually, with the Russell's viper responsible for approximately 43 per cent of all serious envenomations in the country, experts say.

Between 2000 and 2019, snakebites claimed 1.2 million lives across India. Despite the staggering figures, under-reporting remains a major issue, as many victims rely on traditional remedies or never reach hospitals.

Public health authorities have begun pushing for better surveillance and region-specific antivenoms, with several states launching awareness drives and emergency response apps.

In a major step forward, Karnataka has made snakebite a notifiable disease, allowing for more coordinated national action.