A Michigan resident was bitten by a venomous monocle cobra on Sunday, July 15, and remains in critical condition.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Scott Mullin from Venom One, this monocle cobra bite from Asia is one of the first bites ever to be treated by a venom officer. Venom One typically responds to a couple of these cases per year as these snakes are more common in the private exotic venomous snake collections. “Our primary focus is saving a life. Our secondary focus is saving life and limb, a hand a foot. A person bitten by a snake like this can lose fingers, toes and feet… so we want to get there quickly. That’s the importance of having us on a 24-hour unit“.
After treating the cobra bite in Michigan, that same day, the Venom Response (Venom One) was contacted by a person bitten by a coral snake in Jupiter, Florida. “We are in Snake Bite Season here in South Florida. … We were able to deliver the much-needed antivenin for that coral snake bite and successfully treat that patient.
The Venom Response Team reminds everyone to be extra careful during Snake Bite Season in South Florida, which runs from April through October. Never walk barefooted when outdoors and always be aware of your surroundings as snakes tend to be more active first thing in the morning and at night in warmer weather.
Additional Information about Venom Response Program
Since its inception on June 9, 1998, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) Venom Response Program has been specializing in the response, management and treatment of envenomation. Miami-Dade County is home to numerous venomous and poisonous animals and is also the point of entry for a wide variety of venomous animals imported into the United States. The Venom Response Team (Venom One) is committed to delivering the highest possible standard of medical intervention with respect to injuries due to venomous fauna.
MDFR's Venom Response Program provides ongoing education, training and awareness of the many dangerous and venomous species native to, or imported into the United States and promotes interoperability and communication between numerous agencies, municipalities, healthcare providers and poison control centers.
The Venom Response Program currently maintains the largest and only antivenin bank for public use in the United States. The Team employs the latest techniques to prevent morbidity and mortality through antivenin intervention 24 hours a day, seven days a week locally, nationally and internationally.
SNAKE BITE SEASON VIDEOS:
Snake Bite Season – English
Snake Bite Season - Spanish
