Snake bite spike prompts warning

Paramedics have responded to 370 snake bites across Queensland since the beginning of the year, prompting a safety warning from Queensland Ambulance — and a snake catcher.

The figures were confirmed by Queensland Ambulance following the hospitalisation of a man from Clagiraba, a rural locality in the City of Gold Coast, on Tuesday.

The man was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

The species of snake that bit him is not known.

To compare, there were 872 snake bites in Queensland in total last year.

Of the 370 bites already recorded, the highest number occurred in the Sunshine Coast; with paramedics responding to 48 callouts.

This was followed by Brisbane’s Metro South Region which reported 44 bites. The Metro North and Townsville came next — both recorded 39 bites.

Why people are being bitten

Queensland Ambulance told 9news.com.au most bites occur to the lower limbs.

Many happen as people attempt to either kill or move the reptile.

“Prevention is better than cure when it comes to snakes – If you see a snake leave it alone and walk away. They will usually only bite if provoked,” a spokesperson said.

“Avoid walking through long grass, wear sturdy enclosed shoes and ensure you have quick access to a quality compression bandage.

“Avoid washing a snake bite wound – the hospital may need to test the bandage for poison to identify the type of snake.”

Owner of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers Stuart McKenzie is not at all surprised by the snake bite count.

“It’s been the busiest season yet,” Mr McKenzie told 9news.com.au.

He explained there hasn’t necessarily been a population boom of snakes or more snakes invading homes; it’s what people are doing with snakes driving bites.

“Generally snake bites come down to how people act,” Mr McKenzie said.

A number of venomous snakes are found in Queensland including; the coastal taipan, tiger snake, death adder, rough-scaled snake and eastern brown snake.