Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to be wary of snakes after dozens of locals were bitten in the space of a few months.
Sixty-one people presented to Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service emergency departments from September to December, which was 19 more than the corresponding period a year prior.
SCHHS emergency consultant Dr Barrie Field said snakes were out and about, and that there were several precautions people could take.
“Although snakes can be encountered throughout the year in Queensland, they are more active in the summer months,” he said.
“Everyone needs to be aware that we share the environment with a number of potentially dangerous snakes and should know what to do if bitten.
“While most snake bites do not result in the victim becoming unwell, all bites should be taken seriously.
“For those bitten, the outlook is good if they can get to hospital promptly.
“Some people describe the bite as feeling like a scratch with a sharp object or like an insect sting; others describe it as a bump with little pain.
“Snake bite should always be considered if a child collapses while outside, or soon after being outside.”
There were 129 local snake bite victims in 2022 and almost half of them were from September to December.
Stuart McKenzie, of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, was surprised there were more snake bites in the latter months of 2022, compared to the previous year, but he offered a possible explanation.
“It could be because more people think they are snake catchers, and they try to catch them,” he said.
“We’ve had way more people messaging us, saying they’ve caught a snake or killed a snake.
“We get so many people catching snakes themselves and saying, ‘I’ve got a snake in a bag, can you come and get it?'”
Mr McKenzie reminded people to leave snakes alone, or call the experts.
“You don’t have to have a snake catcher come out, you can just leave them alone and they might move on, but if it’s inside your house then call a snake catcher,” he said.
“If you leave the door open and something gets inside you have to take responsibility and get a professional to relocate it.”
He said the eastern brown snake was the most venomous and most encountered dangerous species in the region, while the red-bellied black snake was also a regular.
“Both have highly toxic venom, which can kill you if you don’t seek medical attention,” he said, adding that even seemingly docile pythons can bite.
Mr McKenzie said residents could minimise risks.
“I recommend good-quality fly screens,” he said.
“People leave louvers and doors open to capture the breeze, because they haven’t installed a fly screen, and snakes come in.”
He said other entry points were gaps around garage doors and underneath doors, particularly in older houses.
Mr McKenzie said cluttered yards also attracted snakes.
“Snakes will hang around for three reasons: food, shelter and water,” he said.
“If you can minimise those three, especially food and shelter, that will help.
“Snakes aren’t necessarily going to be attracted to dog bowls, but they will be attracted to a pile of green waste or bricks or tin against the shed, along with chicken coops and guinea pig enclosures.”
So, what should you do if you see a snake nearby?
“You can stand still or run away but, for most people, adrenalin will kick in and they will just back away. It’s natural instinct,” Mr McKenzie said.
“The only ones crazy enough to go near them are snake catchers.
“Give the snake the respect it deserves. They don’t want anything to do with you.
“People think brown snakes and red-bellies are aggressive and will chase you but that’s not true. That’s a myth and an old wives’ tale.
“They are absolutely terrified of us.
“We try and demonstrate that through our social media. When we catch brown snakes all they want to do is get away.
“They’re one of the hardest snakes to catch: they just bolt.
“So, keep a safe distance and respect the snake.”
Dr Field said there were potentially dangerous actions to avoid.
“Never use a tourniquet, never cut the bite wound or apply an electric current, and never attempt to suck venom from the wound as none of these actions will help the victim and all can cause further harm,” he said.
“Do not wash the bite site as if there is venom on the skin, a swab of the site may be useful in helping to identify the likely snake species and guide doctors about which antivenom if it is required.
“Lastly, do not attempt to catch the snake as this can result in further, more severe bites. Contact an expert snake handler to safely remove the snake from the area.”
After a snake bite or suspected snake bite, you should:
- Ensure the snake has left the immediate area and is no longer a risk.
- Check that a collapsed person is conscious, breathing and has a pulse.
- Call 000 for an ambulance for transport to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
- Apply a pressure bandage as soon as possible. Apply this over the bite site and then cover the entire limb. The bandage should be as tight as you would apply to a sprained ankle, which means it should be firm, but not uncomfortable.
- Immobilise the limb using a splint: any rigid object may be used as a splint, such as a piece of wood or tree branch or a rolled-up newspaper
- Keep the patient still and encourage them to remain calm. Do not allow them to walk.
- Only non-alcoholic liquids should be given to the patient.
- Do not give an unwell victim food.
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
