3 Scary Snake Bite Incidents That Happened in Virginia This Year

Snakes are the third most dangerous animal to people after mosquitos and different people. Snake bites symbolize a substantial public well being burden in lots of international locations. More individuals die from snake bites all over the world every year than have ever died from Ebola. The World Health Organization estimates that venomous snakes kill as much as 137,880 individuals yearly. However, deaths from snake bites within the United States account for lower than 4 p.c of the worldwide whole, and your threat of being bitten by a snake varies by state. Let’s check out three scary snake chew incidents that occurred in Virginia this yr.

Snakebites by State

Each yr, 7,000-8,000 individuals are bitten by venomous snakes within the United States, based on the Centers for Disease Control. That’s a median of 30 bites per million individuals per yr. Out of the people who find themselves bitten by venomous snakes within the nation, almost 5 individuals die. Only one in 500 venomous snake bites, nevertheless, leads to dying. In the United States, copperheads chew 2,920 individuals yearly.

The nation is home to about 30 species of venomous snakes. These embrace 23 species of rattlesnakes, three species of coral snakes, two species of copperhead, and two species of cottonmouth. The japanese diamondback rattlesnake is the biggest of its species and probably the most venomous snake in North America. 

5. Virginia

The state of Virginia is the fifth most lively state for venomous snake bites. Virginia is roughly 50 p.c above the nationwide common with 48.7 bites per million individuals, based on a examine revealed on the JAMA Network. 

4. Oklahoma

With twice the nationwide common of reported bites, Oklahoma is available in as fourth within the nation for snake bites. The state has 48 several types of snakes and 7 venomous species that inflict 61 bites per million individuals per yr.

3. Arkansas

“The Natural State,” as Arkansas is thought, has thrice the nationwide common of bites, with 92.9 bites per million. Of its 39 completely different native species of snakes, solely two have a venomous chew. Arkansas has the third-most reported snake bites within the nation.

2. West Virginia

With 105.3 bites per million, West Virginia has the second-highest chew price per million individuals within the United States. At greater than thrice the nationwide common, West Virginia is home to 23 snake species, simply two of that are venomous.

1. North Carolina

Out of all 50 U.S. states, North Carolina has the very best price of venomous snakebites at 157.8 per million inhabitants per yr. This is 5 occasions greater than the nation’s common. There are 37 completely different species of snakes in North Carolina, solely six of that are venomous. 

Snakes in Virginia

As the fifth within the nation for snake bites, Virginia sees about 400-425 bites per yr. Of these bites, the dying price is extraordinarily low with solely 15 deaths in 30 years of knowledge for the state.

Most of the 30 species of snakes in Virginia are innocent, however three are venomous — northern copperheads, timber rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths. According to Virginia’s Wildlife Center, copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths all have vertical pupils, a heat-sensing pit close to their eyes, and a single row of scales beneath their tails. Alternatively, non-venomous snakes have spherical pupils, no pit, and two rows of scales beneath their tails. A fantastic useful resource to be taught basic snake identification abilities is a web based information by the Virginia Herpetological Society.

In many cases, individuals are bitten when attempting to catch or kill a snake. Aside from it being unlawful in Virginia to kill a snake, killing the animal won’t maintain extra snakes from coming and can seemingly put you in additional hazard. The Blue Ridge Poison Control middle in Virginia additionally sees bites from hikers, gardeners, and others who by accident get too near a snake.

“All snakes,” University of Virginia Health studies, “including poisonous ones, will try to hide from you or escape. They will only bite as a last resort.”

Snake season lasts from mid-May till October when snakes come out of hibernation throughout the hotter months of the yr.

Three Scary Snake Bite Incidents That Happened in Virginia This Year

Most snake bites happen when individuals disturb a snake. Snakes don’t need to attack one thing they know they will’t eat. It’s vital to know what to do to reduce your possibilities of getting bitten within the first place. Check out these security precautions put collectively by the Virginia Herpetological Society. Most of the scary snake chew incidents that occurred in Virginia this yr might have been averted with correct consideration to snake chew dangers.

1. Rockbridge County, VA

On July 15, 2023, firefighters from the Big Island Volunteer Fire Company advised WFXR information {that a} name got here in round 12:21 p.m. for a snake chew sufferer at Camp Doom in Rockbridge County, alongside the James River. Several fireplace departments had been dispatched to the scene and personnel with the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department had to make use of swift water boats to go on the river.

After looking the realm, first responders efficiently rescued the sufferer and transported the person in an ambulance earlier than airlifting the affected person to the University of Virginia Hospital for remedy. One of the fireplace departments that participated within the rescue later confirmed the chew got here from a rattlesnake.

2. Nottoway County, VA

On February 20, 2023, an unidentified snake bit Tracy Davis in Blackstone, Nottoway County, VA. She advised the Courier Record that she had been kneeling beside her again porch utilizing a hand rake to clear leaves from the inspiration of her home when the snake stunned her.

Davis was not in a position to determine the snake, though she stated it was brownish in colour.

“I’m thinking it was either a garter snake or what is referred to as a ‘brown snake,’ which has a nickname of ‘city snake,’” David stated. “They are typically docile and live in organic matter. It was quick. Again, it happened so fast and when I felt the ‘pop’ on my hand and looked down, I saw the end of it going beneath the leaves. I immediately got up and went inside to wash my hands.”  

3. Virginia Beach

The third scary snake chew incident that occurred in Virginia this yr stands out for the excruciating ache inflicted on the sufferer. In June 2023, a copperhead bit Mary Rumble of Virginia Beach after she by accident hit it along with her weed wacker in her yard. The snake sunk its fangs into her ankle inflicting super ache.

“It would just feel like it (her ankle) was going to blow off my body,” Rumble advised WAVY.com information. “I can’t even describe it the pain was so bad.”

What To Do if Someone Gets Bitten

According to CDC suggestions, anybody bitten by a snake ought to instantly name 911 or poison management. Additionally, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Poison Control Center urges residents to keep in mind that snake bites are treatable, and anybody bitten by a snake ought to keep calm. If potential, wash the wound with cleaning soap and water and take away tight clothes and jewellery as swelling is probably going. The most vital purpose, nevertheless, is to get the sufferer to a healthcare facility.

What Not to Do If Someone Gets Bitten

Snake chew specialists insist that many frequent misconceptions about what to do after a snake bites somebody can really trigger extra hurt. Blue Ridge Poison Control warns towards any of the next actions:

• Do not use any type of suction.
• Do not apply a tourniquet.
• Do not apply ice or use an ice tub.
• Do not reduce the wound.

The picture featured on the prime of this publish is © Harris Motion Photo/Shutterstock.com