A fatal snakebite envenomation due to King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) in the Eastern Visayas, Philippines.
Toxicon
; 244: 107751, 2024 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38723869
ABSTRACT
This report details a documented case of fatal King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) envenomation in the Philippines. A 46-year-old woman from a mountainous town in Leyte was bitten on her left thigh by a snake. Despite receiving prompt medical attention, including administration of fluids and oxygen, she went into arrest and succumbed within 2.5 hours of the bite. Inadequate pre-hospital care, including endotracheal intubation and assisted ventilation, highlights a notable gap in emergency medical services. Photographic evidence, verified by a herpetologist, confirmed the involvement of a King cobra, with venom presenting with a swift and lethal systemic effect that led to the patient's demise, despite minimal local manifestations. This incident accentuates the urgent need for accessible, effective antivenom and improved snakebite management protocols in the Philippines. It also calls for heightened awareness and preparedness among pre-hospital healthcare providers and the public, alongside advocating for more research into snakebite envenomation.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Snake Bites
/
Elapidae
/
Elapid Venoms
Limits:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Toxicon
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article