Non-native (exotic) snake envenomations in the U.S., 2005-2011

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Herpetology
• Public Health

Background:

• Non-native (exotic) snakes are a significant global cause of venomous snakebites.
• Managing exotic snake envenomations in the United States (U.S.) presents unique challenges due to species diversity and antivenom availability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the demographics, outcomes, and management challenges of non-native snakebites in the U.S.
• To compare current data with previous findings and highlight improvements in data collection.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series utilizing the National Poison Data System (NPDS) database.
• Analysis of human exposures to exotic venomous snakes between 2005 and 2011.
• Comparison with a prior study period (1994-2004) to assess changes and coding error reduction.

Main Results:

• 258 human exposures involving 61 unique exotic venomous species were recorded.
• Males (79%) were predominantly affected, with an average age of 33 years.
• Most bites (70%) occurred in private residences; 35% received antivenom and 10% received antibiotics.

Conclusions:

• Exotic snakebites in the U.S. involve a wide array of species and primarily occur in domestic settings.
• Logistical difficulties in identifying and acquiring appropriate antivenoms remain a significant challenge.
• Poison centers play a crucial role in expert consultation and managing these complex envenomations.