herptrader
Very Well-Known Member
Published: http://www.theage.com.au/national/h...and-youre-hisstory-20081227-75xd.html?page=-1
Source: The Age (on line)
Typical warning for the summer season. Interestingly the pic would appear to be of a harmless and quite cute Diamond Python.
Source: The Age (on line)
Typical warning for the summer season. Interestingly the pic would appear to be of a harmless and quite cute Diamond Python.
OURS is a country full of dangers, where a bite from one of our many deadly creatures can leave you fighting for life. At least, that's what we like to tell ourselves, says an authority on venoms.
- Tom Reilly
- December 28, 2008
"As a nation, we definitely have a peculiar pride in our poisonous snakes, spiders and jellyfish, even though most of us will rarely, if ever, come into contact with these animals," the director of the Australian Venom Research Unit, Ken Winkel, says.
"It's an attitude I've never come across in developing nations where the dangers from poisonous bites are potentially far more deadly."
But for those Australians who are exposed to contact with poisonous creatures, the danger season is here. Warm weather brings snakes — and drought conditions can force them out of hiding and into residential areas as they look for water.
The unit and its predecessor, the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, have been studying the poisons of native creatures for nearly 80 years, producing antivenoms for all known venomous Australian snakes.
But while huge strides have been made in preventing snake-bite deaths, more needs to be done, Dr Winkel says. Antivenoms need to be improved and developed to make them even more effective — and education is needed to prevent deaths.
"Each year a handful of people die as a result of snake bites and many, if not all, of those deaths could be avoided," he says.
"Some people still aren't aware of the best first-aid techniques, such as applying a pressure bandage to the area of the bite rather than using a tourniquet, or that you should try not to move too much rather than running for help.
"Incredibly, some people, especially in the country, will ignore a bite, taking a chance that the snake either wasn't poisonous or that the bite wasn't deep enough."
The danger of a lack of first-aid knowledge was shown in January when Hayden Parkinson, 16, died of a heart attack after being bitten by an eastern brown snake in suburban Sydney.
"It was reported that the boy ran for help, which is one of the worst things you can do as it spreads the venom around the body," Dr Winkel says.
A little knowledge might have saved his life — and could certainly save others. Soon after the teenager's death, the venom research unit, based in Melbourne University's pharmacology department, received federal funds to produce a book advising children on what to do if bitten.
The unit also provides expert advice around the clock to doctors nationwide. Each year its medical helpline receives more than 1000 calls, most in summer.
But while preventing Australian snake-bite deaths is the primary focus of the unit, it is also looking at ways to help developing countries deal with the problem. Worldwide, more than 100,000 people die from snake bites each year, with between 200,000 and 400,000 partially disabled.
"As a developed country that is leading the research in antivenoms, we need to be sharing our knowledge with the developing world where snake bites in particular are a cause of death," Dr Winkel says.
"In a country like Papua New Guinea, around 3000 people are bitten by snakes each year, which is a similar number to here in Australia, but there, more than 200 people die from their bites a year."
At an international conference in Melbourne last month, Dr Winkel and other delegates called for snake bites to be added to the World Health Organisation's list of neglected tropical diseases, a move aimed at drawing greater resources.
But during the coming summer months, it will be domestic issues which will again be the unit's main concern.
The facts about snake bites
What to do if bitten: Apply a bandage all the way along the affected limb. The bandage should be firm but not too tight. Avoid moving limb; seek medical help as soon as possible.
How antivenom is made: Animals such as horses are injected with a harmless amount of venom, which causes them to produce chemicals to counteract the poison. Their blood is then removed and purified to make antivenom.
Dangerous snakes:■Inland taipan, which lives in outback Australia, has large fangs and the world's strongest venom but rarely bites humans because it lives in remote areas.
■Eastern brown snake, common nationwide, has the second most powerful venom in the world.
