January 24, 2024Summer is the best season of the year, they said. Except for the occasional slithering snakes and the abundance of mosquitos!
During the hot summer days, snakes are becoming increasingly active and put both humans and pets at risk of snakebites.
According to The Australian Snakebite Project, in over 10 years, approximately 1,500 people were bitten by snakes – with approximately 87 people a year being envenomed. Brown snakes are the most common, followed by tiger snakes. Luckily, in Victoria, we only have three overall snake species that are endemic – brown, tiger and red-bellied black.
It’s important to know that snakes only bite when they feel threatened, so prevention is key. Avoiding situations where you might encounter a snake, especially if there is signage suggesting they are around, is highly recommended.
“If you are traveling around areas with long grass, wear closed toed shoes and try to stomp a bit – snakes have poor hearing, but the vibrations will let them know you are nearby. If you have wood piles on your property, move them carefully, as these are often popular places for snakes to reside in. Snake venom is not great for humans but can be far more lethal for dogs. Investing in snake avoidance training or avoiding parks where snakes are known to frequent is a must during snake season,” says A/Prof Joe Rotella, Emergency Physician and Clinical Toxicologist, Department of Emergency Medicine, Northern Health.
Knowing what to do if you or someone you are with is bitten, is critical. Most snakebites are treatable and can be managed effectively. Here are some simple steps to follow:
- Stay calm – movement spreads the venom. Lie down and do not move the affected limb.
- Call Triple Zero (000) ASAP
- If you have a pressure bandage (these can be bought from your local chemist), apply from above the suspected bite site down (with some extra layers around where the bite is).
- Prepare to spend the night in the Emergency Department, as several blood tests will need to be taken a few times over a 12-hour period.
“Most people will feel pretty scared and anxious when they have been bitten by a snake or they think they may have, but the symptoms we look for that suggest envenomation include severe nausea and vomiting, severe headache and/or abdominal pain, difficulty holding eyes open or difficulty moving your eyes as required, bleeding from puncture sites or from your nose or gums,” says A/Prof Rotella.
While snakebites can be a terrifying and potentially life-threatening experience, knowledge and preparedness are key factors in minimising their impact.
“‘A rather sad myth about snakes is that they are morally typecast as evil due to certain representations, so people often seek to kill them. This is not actually the case- snakes only bite to defend themselves,” says A/Prof Rotella.
The summer season also brings a plenitude of mosquitos, especially with the recent receding floodwaters happening across many parts in Victoria. Although rare, even for people living in affected areas, this increases the threat of serious, potentially life-threating, mosquito-borne diseases, such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, Japanese Encephalitis, Murray Valley Encephalitis and West Nile/Kunjin virus.
“Most mosquito bites – despite being very itchy – don’t need medical treatment. Occasionally, adults or children will develop a large local reaction with swelling or ongoing pain. At other times the bites may become infected with increasing redness, swelling, warmth or crusting around the bite. Signs of more severe illness include fever, vomiting, progressive rash or joint pains. See your local GP, Urgent Care Centre or Priority Primary Care Centre, or consider contacting the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department if you have any of these features,” says Dr Daniel Engelman, Paediatrician and Research Fellow in Tropical Diseases, Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Northern Health.
Mosquito bites can put a damper on your summer fun, but with a few simple strategies, you can keep these tiny assailants at bay and enjoy a bite-free summer:
- Apply repellent regularly and evenly to all exposed skin on top of your sunscreen.
- Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, and enclosed shoes.
- Empty or remove buckets and containers from around the home to reduce mosquito breeding.
“The best way to avoid getting sick is to prevent getting bitten. There are lots of ways to manage itch and scratching in children. Apply a cool pack or have a cool bath. Use of lotions or topical sprays can relieve the itch. Oral antihistamines can be effective if the itch is severe and impacting sleep. Use distraction and keep the fingernails short,” says Dr Engelman.
So, gear up, stay vigilant, and savour every moment of your summer without the itchy reminders of mosquito encounters!
For more information on prevention and protection from mosquito-borne diseases visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/48YoOPW
