Flaviemys purvisi
Very Well-Known Member
September 28, 2018
Sahil Makkar
THE NSW Government has sounded an alert for snakes and spiders as schools break for their two-week holidays on Friday.
“With the start of school holidays, NSW Health is reminding people to be careful of snakes and spiders while outdoors and to pack a first-aid kit when camping,” toxicology expert Geoff Isbister said.
“If holidaying in a regional area, try to avoid being bitten in the first place by not interfering with snakes. Wear long pants and boots when walking in areas where snakes are present.”
The NSW government said snake bites traditionally increase in spring ahead of a peak in late December and January.
Western NSW Local Health District, which covers about 250,000 square kilometres and 270,775 people, said there had been no snake bite deaths in the past four years to July 30 this year.
But there have been 304 incidents of snake bites in the past four years.
The local health district has also recorded 53 snake incidents this year.
“Western NSW Local Health District is well prepared for the snake season. All public hospitals, including those in WNSWLHD, are required to store snake anti-venom in line with the NSW Health Snakebite and Spiderbite Clinical Management Guidelines,” a WNSWLHD spokesperson told Fairfax Media recently.
Brown, tiger and copperheads are the most common snakes in the western region.
The NSW Government said people need to also be aware of funnel web and redback spiders, which are usually in dark and dry places including shoes left outside, helmets and under outdoor furniture.
“Redback spider bites aren’t life-threatening and it is recommended the area bitten is washed and advice sought from the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26,” the government said.
