An “unusual” string of fatal snake bites has left three people dead in the US state of California in recent weeks, sparking concern among experts over a deadly spike in attacks.
The latest victim, a 78-year-old woman, died after being struck three times while walking on a rural property in Redwood Valley earlier this month.
Relatives rushed her to the hospital, but local authorities told Sky News that her health rapidly deteriorated and she passed away two days later.
Officers said her cause of death was due to “snake envenomation from snake bites”, and a blood complication likely caused by the poison.
The tragedy follows the “rare” deaths of two other hikers in the region.
While around 8000 people are bitten by venomous snakes across the US every year, the country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that typically only five people die annually.
Last month, 46-year-old Gabriela Bautista died days after she was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking.
And just weeks prior, 25-year-old Julian Hernandez was bitten by a rattlesnake while mountain biking in Orange County after stepping aside to let people pass on the trail.
The young man, described as a “strong and healthy” community leader, fought in the intensive care unit for over a month before tragically succumbing to the bite.
His family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the hefty hospital fees and his memorial service.
In a post written by his sister, Mr Hernandez was remembered as a man “who was cherished by so many, and who impacted even more people than we can imagine”.
“With immense sorrow and grief, Julian did not survive,” his sister shared in the heartbreaking post, noting the family is still seeking answers surrounding his ICU battle.
Others have narrowly escaped the recent spike in snake incidents, including a teenage girl who had to be rescued from a nature trail and a woman attacked while picking flowers.
Experts believe the deadly rise in rattlesnake encounters is due to a combination of unseasonably high temperatures and heavy rainfall.
This extreme weather has caused California’s only known venomous snakes to emerge from their winter burrows much earlier than usual.
The California Poison Control System told Sky News there have been an unexpected and highly “unusual” 70 rattlesnake bites between January and March alone.
“Each year, we typically get calls on approximately 300 to 350 cases of rattlesnake bites from all over California, but most of these cases are in the early spring and summer months,” a spokesman said.
How Australia compares
Turning home, despite living alongside some of the deadliest reptiles on earth, Aussies are uniquely equipped to survive snake encounters due to thorough education and widespread first aid training.
According to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, up to 3000 Australians are bitten by snakes every year.
However, data shows that only 200 to 500 of those cases require antivenene. This is largely due to “dry bites,” where the snake strikes in defence without actually injecting any venom.
As a result, the nationwide death toll remains low, averaging just one to four fatalities a year.
It’s a surprising statistic given we are home to a whopping 170 snake species, including 20 of the world’s 25 most dangerous.
While more than 100 of those native species are venomous, only about 12 are actually capable of delivering a fatal bite to a human.
The eastern brown is understood to be the most deadly of all, responsible for about 60 to 70 per cent of snakebite deaths.
The majority of brown snakes live throughout the eastern half of the country, spanning from northern Queensland, through NSW and Victoria, down to South Australia.
They prefer dry, open habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, farms, and suburban fringes.
What to do if bitten
According to official guidelines from the Australian Resuscitation Council, here’s what to do if you are bitten by a snake:
• Call Triple Zero (000) immediately to request an ambulance.
• Stay completely still. Australian snake venom travels through the lymphatic system, which is pumped by muscle movement. Staying perfectly still slows the spread of the venom.
• Don’t wash the bite area. Hospital staff need to swab the venom left on the skin to determine which snake bit you and which antivenene to use.
• Apply a pressure bandage over the bite using a broad, heavy elastic bandage to wrap the site tightly.
• Bandage the entire limb. Starting from the fingers or toes, wrap a second bandage upward along the entire bitten limb. It should be as tight as a bandage for a sprained ankle — firm, but not cutting off blood flow.
• Immobilise the limb. Bind a stick, piece of wood, or rolled-up newspaper to the limb to act as a splint, preventing the joints from bending.
• Wait for help to arrive. Do not walk to the ambulance or car; request that medical transport comes directly to you if possible.
