Jacksonville, Fla. – The beginning of snakebite season has begun and the two antivenoms available in the United States-CroFab and Wyeth Polyvalent Crotalidae Antivenom-may not be accessible until early June. Hospitals across the country were awaiting a CroFab shipment, which got pulled for contamination issues. Polyvalent Crotalidae Antivenom, produced and marketed by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Inc., stopped production of its antivenom last year when CroFab (Savage Labs, Inc) was released. As a result, the current citywide inventory of both antivenoms is seriously low.
“This antivenom shortage is hitting us at the beginning of snakebite season,” said Jay Schauben, Pharm.D., a University of Florida clinical professor of pharmacy and director of the Florida Poison Information Center/Jacksonville (FPIC). “The inability to rapidly initiate antivenom therapy in patients requiring treatment may mean more significant injury and illness and less reversibility for local and systemic effects related to these bites. Patients bit by these snakes will be at a higher risk for significant illness and permanent effects due to the inability to reverse the effects of the snake venom.” CroFab is used to counteract the potent venoms of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber and canebrake rattlesnake, cottonmouth and copperheads The FPIC is in the process of reviewing its snakebite management policy with an eye towards conserving its remaining supply for severe snakebite cases.
Schauben suggests that the public review and revise their daily routine to include “snake-bite avoidance.” Some safety tips are listed below to help prevent a possible snakebite.
- Hikers should wear sturdy boots or shoes that extend beyond the ankle when in snake territory.
- When a snake is encountered, it should be left alone. One should not approach a venomous snake, whether to catch it or to kill it. A snake can jump half the length of their body when striking. Even when a snake’s head has been cut off, a reflex allows its jaws to open and close, inflicting a venomous bite.
- Be careful about blindly sticking your hands or feet into woodpiles, deep grass or crevices. Carry a flashlight and wear shoes when walking outside after dark.
- To remove a venomous snake from one’s home or yard, the local animal control, fire department or health department should be called for assistance.
- If you get a snakebite, don’t pick up or try to capture the snake. Identification of the snake is helpful but don’t delay calling the FPIC at 1-800-222-1222.
The Florida Poison Information Center is housed on the campus of Shands Jacksonville, serving 42 counties in the northern and eastern coastal sections of Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands 24 hours a day, seven days a week. FPIC is responsible for providing emergency diagnostic and treatment information to 139 hospitals as well as more than 120 emergency medical service agencies.