Increase of 35 Percent in Snake Bites Reported in New South Wales
Click to start listening
Sydney, Jan 3 (NationPress) The incidence of snake bites in New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most densely populated state, has surged.
As per the statistics released on Friday by the NSW Poisons Information Center, there were 320 documented snake bites in the region from September 1 to December 20, 2024.
This represents a notable increase of 35 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2023, with specialists linking this rise to climatic conditions and habitat degradation.
Among those bitten during this period in 2024, 61 were children under the age of 15. Fortunately, no snake-related fatalities have been reported in NSW, as noted by the Xinhua news agency.
Genevieve Adamo, a pharmacist and senior poisons information specialist at the center, emphasized the necessity for the public to exercise heightened caution regarding snakes, particularly during the summer months when both snakes and humans are more active.
Dieter Hochuli, a snake expert from the University of Sydney, explained that increased snake activity is attributed to warmer winter and spring weather.
Christina Zdenek from the Australian Reptile Academy noted that urban land clearing and development have also played a significant role in this uptick.
She informed the ABC that heavy rainfall periods have contributed to heightened snake activity by fostering vegetation that attracts more snake prey.
Individuals who sustain snake bites in Australia are urged to seek immediate medical help.
In a tragic incident in November, a teenager lost his life after being bitten by a venomous brown snake in his family’s yard.
The 16-year-old was unaware that he had been bitten on the foot until he returned inside and collapsed.
His family promptly called for an ambulance, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. He was subsequently airlifted to a Brisbane hospital, where he was placed on life support but sadly passed away.
Queensland Health advises individuals to dial triple zero if bitten by a snake and to apply a bandage and splint to the affected area.
