Snake bites spark warning

Warm weather has reptiles on move

A WOMAN has been bitten on the foot by a snake prompting a warning to beware of the reptiles on the move now with warmer temperatures.

A Queensland Ambulance representative said paramedics attended a woman at a Mission Beach address shortly before 8pm on September 21.

“She was transported in a stable condition to Innisfail Hospital after receiving a snake bite to her toe at a private residence at 7.52pm,” the representative said.

“In the last seven days we have treated two snake bites.

“In the 12 months Queensland Ambulance treated 91 snake bites.”

It is not known what type of snake wounded the woman.

A Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service representative said the woman had been discharged on Thursday.

According to the CHHHS, there were eight presentations to the Cairns Hospital Emergency Department in June and July this year for snake bite.

“This includes transfers from other hospitals to Cairns Hospital ED, two from Mossman Hospital, one from Yarrabah Hospital and one from Cooktown Hospital,” the representative said.

James Cook University snake expert Dr Conrad Hoskin (pictured) said as frogs and lizards became more active, snakes would naturally be more prevalent as they hunt them for food.

“This time of the year snakes will definitely get more active,” he said.

“People should be aware that snakes are active in gardens, parks and bushland but the chances of being bitten are extremely low.

“But any kind of interaction with a snake is risky as snakes are so fast.”

He advised treating all snake bites as being potentially dangerous.

“But most snakes are quite shy,” he said.

Queensland Health said snake bites in Australia from land or sea snakes could be potentially fatal and immediate medical assistance should be sought for all cases of suspected snake bite.

Information posted on their website warned people to treat all injuries seriously.

“If a snake bite occurs, call triple-0 for an ambulance, use the pressure-immobilisation technique, and have the patient taken immediately to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.”

The website also advised to avoid handling the reptile and to contact a qualified snake handler to manage its removal.

“Do not attempt to kill or capture the snake yourself,” it said.