Snake bite? Antivenom not in Mitchell Shire - The North Central ...

Victoria’s three venomous snakes – brown, tiger and red-bellied black – are a danger but antivenom is only available at hospitals that have critical care facilities and a 24-hour laboratory for blood tests. ​

By Jordyn Grubisic

WITH warmer weather comes snake season and with it the uncommon – but not impossible – chance of being bitten, but Mitchell Shire residents should be aware they will need to be transported to Epping’s Northern Hospital rather than being treated locally.

In Victoria there are three venomous snakes – brown, tiger and red-bellied black – however snake envenomation is rare in Australia with an average of two snake envenomation deaths recorded in Australia each year.

Under the state snake bite guidelines, all patients with a suspected snakebite should be managed in a facility with access to antivenom, critical care facilities and a 24-hour laboratory for blood tests.

If the criteria are not met, inter-hospital transfer is required – even for asymptomatic patients.

A Northern Health spokesperson said its decision not to stock antivenom at Kilmore District Hospital aligned with state guidelines.

“As per state guidelines, antivenom should be administered in a hospital with direct access to an intensive care unit,” the spokesperson said.

“Patients presenting at Kilmore Urgent Care Centre with a suspected snake bite would be stabilised and transferred by ambulance to Northern Hospital, Epping.”

Austin Health’s poisons information specialist Janet Browning said hospitals followed the guidelines when deciding to stock antivenoms.

“For safety reasons only hospitals or other emergency medical personnel administer antivenom,” she said.

“Like many highly specialised treatments, antivenom is complex and costly to make and has an expiry date.”

Ms Browning said antivenom treatment was lifesaving but should be given with consideration.

“It is important that antivenom is not given indiscriminately to all patients with a suspected snakebite as there is a risk of anaphylaxis associated with antivenom,” she said.

“If a patient is showing signs of envenomation, based on clinical symptoms or pathology results, then yes, administration of antivenom as early as possible is vital.

“Antivenom needs to be given with emergency medical personnel in attendance or providing remote advice.

“Unfortunately, there are many isolated areas in Australia, so logistical problems with medical emergencies like snakebite envenomations are managed on a daily basis by our excellent ambulance and health services.”

Medical advice recommends that all suspected snakebites should be treated as potentially dangerous with triple zero called immediately and first aid undertaken.

A constrictive bandage needs to be applied over clothing from below the bite site up the limb as far as possible.

The victim should minimise physical movement with transport brought to the victim and the bite site should not be washed, while the bandage should be only removed by medical staff after hospital arrival.

Do not attempt to catch the snake for identification – it is not necessary and dangerous to do so – brown and tiger antivenom will cover all Victorian snakes.