In fact, approximately 20 percent of reported venomous bites take place during the months of September and October. Granted most of the reported snakebite incidents take place in the southern portion of the United States health experts are warning that every state reports of venomous attacks.
Last week a high school golfer was bit by a snake while on golf course competing in tournament in Gillette, Wyoming. The teen was looking for a lost golf ball when he was bit on the ninth hole at Bell Nob golf course. Thankfully the teen survived the attack after being treated at a nearby hospital.
Thanks in part to the availability of antivenom, widespread educational efforts and heightened media attention, only about a dozen North American crotalid bites result in death each year. An estimated 8,000 people are bitten annually, and the number of bites in any given season depends on a variety of factors including geography, rainfall and temperature.
"Some areas of the country have experienced higher than average rain fall this year, while others are experiencing drought. Both situations can persuade snakes to move into populated areas in search of food or water," said Erica L. Liebelt M.D. FACMT, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine Director, Medical Toxicology Services UAB School of Medicine.
"Unfortunately, we see numerous cases of a snake biting someone twice or biting two people because of a botched effort to catch or kill it after the first bite. People often want to capture the snake for identification purposes, but we don't need to see the snake to treat the patient. And, we don't want people bringing a snake into an ambulance or a hospital, even a dead one, especially since snakes still have a bite reflex for a short time after death," stated Dr. Liebelt. "The important thing is to get the victim to a hospital as quickly and calmly as possible. Infants, children and adults should all be treated with antivenom if they have a mild to moderate envenomation."
