This is according to Johan Marais from the African Snakebite Institute. He said there are 75 different types of snakes in the Lowveld with 36 harmless snakes, eleven that can inflict a painful bite and six snakes that are considered potentially deadly. Marais said most of the recent bites were from Bibron’s Stiletto Snake – a small dark brown to blackish snake that lives underground but surfaces on hot summer nights, especially after good rain. “It is unique in that it has large fangs that can protrude from the sides of the mouth even when closed and when handled the person doing so will be bitten.
There is no safe way of handling this snake and for some reason people mistake it for a harmless Mole Snake. The venom of the Stiletto Snake is potently cytotoxic or cell-destroying, doing local damage and causing severe pain, swelling, blistering and sometimes the loss of a digit or two. As there is no antivenom for the bite of this snake doctors treat pain and symptoms,” he said. He said some of the serious bites were by the Mozambique spitting cobra. “This snake is mostly active in the early evening when it hunts for food. Unfortunately, it has the bad habit of ending up in houses and lodges, usually entering through an open sliding door or through the gap under doors if big enough and a number of people get bitten while asleep in their beds.
Ensure that doors seal well and make use of mosquito doors. We also recommend that people sleep under mosquito nets. The venom of this snake is potently cytotoxic causing severe pain, swelling and blistering that may be followed by severe tissue damage. Victims need to be hospitalised and invariably need antivenom,” he said. Marais said puff adders are common in the Lowveld and the majority of bites are from people accidentally standing on these snakes at night. “Always make use of a torch when walking in the dark. Like the Mozambique spitting cobra this snake has a potent cytotoxic venom that may cause severe pain, swelling, blistering and tissue damage. Victims need to be hospitalised and may require antivenom treatment.”
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He told the Herald that black mamba bites are rare but extremely dangerous. Marais said the black mamba is a shy and elusive snake that is quick to move off when given the chance. “However, if surprised or cornered it will gape, exposing the black lining of the mouth, and it may strike more than once. The neurotoxic venom of this snake is potent and fast-acting. “Victims soon mention pins-and-needles in their lips, a metallic taste in the mouth, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, excessive sweating, droopy eyes, dilated pupils and eventually difficulty with breathing. “These bites are life-threatening and victims need to be hospitalised urgently as they may require breathing assistance.”
He further said bites from the other dangerous snakes in the Lowveld are few and far between and include snakes like the snouted cobra, boomslang and vine snake. He said snakes are often found in suburban gardens and are largely lured by prey items like rodents, frogs and bird nests. He also said there is no effective snake repellent, and this includes commercially-available snake repellents, Jeyes fluid, old oil, various plants and any other concoctions that people often use. “If you spot a snake in your garden or house, immediately remove pets, watch the snake from a safe distance and call a snake remover.“There are over 800 snake removers on the free ASI App ASI Snakes. Never attempt to catch or kill a snake – leave it for the professionals,” he said.
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e also supplied first aid in case someone gets bitten by a snake: • Do not apply an arterial tourniquet. Many people are bitten by harmless snakes, mildly venomous snakes or snakes with cytotoxic venom. Arterial tourniquets are not recommended for snakebite by the World Health Organization and can do serious damage. • Do not cut and try to suck venom out. It does not work. • Do not apply ice or heat. • Do not inject antivenom. If required, antivenom is administered by a medical doctor in a hospital environment. He advised victims to move away from the snake and remove all pets, especially dogs, contact the nearest hospital or private ambulance service.
Victims need to be hospitalised as soon as possible. • Do not try to kill or catch the snake but take a photograph if it can be done safely. It is not essential to know the identity of the snake. • Resort to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation of the victim stops breathing on the way to hospital. Should the venom reach the eyes, Marais said the victim should immediately rinse the eyes with water (from a tap or hose pipe) and transport the victim to a doctor who will examine the eyes and provide the required treatment. If your pet gets venom in the eyes, do exactly the same – rinse the eyes with water and get it to a vet. He said there is no first aid if a dog gets bitten by a highly venomous snake. “Get it to a vet urgently, do not waste time with Allergex tablets, milk and charcoal, it does not work for snake venom. For more advanced first aid measures and a list of snake removers in your area, download the free African Snakebite Institute App ASI Snakes (https://bitly/snakebiteapp)” he said.
