Several people in Gia Lai Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands region, have been hospitalized over the past few days after being bitten by venomous snakes in their homes.

Over the past two weeks, Gia Lai General Hospital has admitted nine patients suffering from venomous snakebites.  

Among them, three arrived at the hospital in a critical condition and were immediately directed to the intensive care unit.

N.T.T.T., a resident of Phu Hoa Town in Chu Pah District, who was recently bitten by a red-tailed viper, with the scientific name of Trimeresurus albolabris, was lucky enough to be rushed to the hospital for timely treatment.

“The viper slithered into my house, but no one saw it. I was walking around my house when it bit my foot,” T. said.

“After the bite, my foot began to hurt, my heartbeat became unsteady, and I had shortness of breath.

"Fortunately, my family took me to the hospital."

C.T.L., a resident of Ia Toi Commune in Ia H’Drai District, was also recently hospitalized due to a snakebite.

The culprit in L.’s case was an Indochinese spitting cobra which was found in her boot.  

L. was quickly rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Dr. Kieu Van Buoc, head of the intensive care unit at the hospital, said that the hospital typically sees an uptick in snakebites between June and September each year and that his department treated 86 snakebite victims in 2022.

So far in 2023, 26 patients have been bitten by venomous snakes and subsequently admitted to the department.

“The majority of snakes in Gia Lai Province, and the Central Highlands region in general, are red-tailed vipers, Malayan pit vipers, and Indochinese spitting cobras," said Dr. Buoc.

"Their venom can cause death, necrosis, and liver failure if victims do not receive timely treatment.

“When patients are bitten by a snake, they should be taken to hospital as soon as possible for emergency instead of being given home remedies.”

The doctor added that patients who do not receive timely treatment may wind up brain dead or suffering necrosis.

After being bitten by a snake, victims should try to remain calm and limit movement.

The victim should keep the wound lower than the heart, clean the wound with soap and water, and go to the nearest hospital, according to Dr. Buoc.

Victims should not take medicine, use a tourniquet to tie the wound, or put ice, chemicals, and leaves on the bite.

Also, they should not try to remove any of the venom themselves.

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