Rural and Remote Health

www.rrh.org.au
James Cook University ISSN 1445-6354

Clinical Case Report

Emergency treatment for a venomous snakebite accident in rural southern Mexico

AUTHORS

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Nina Mendez-Dominguez1 PhD, Professor *

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Salvador Gomez-Carro2 Master of Sciences, Director

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Rodrigo Diaz-Novelo3 MD, Medical Intern

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Luis O Bobadilla-Rosado4 MD, Medical Intern

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Claudia Chi-Mendez5 Master of Sciences, Nurse

AFFILIATIONS

1, 3, 4 School of Medicina, Universidad Marista de Merida, Periférico Norte Tablaje Catastral 13941 Carretera Mérida – Progreso, Mérida Yucatán, México

2 Epidemiology, O Horan General Hospital, Av Itzaes equina con Av Canek, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

5 Ciencias de la Salud y ecología Humana, Av. Independencia Nacional No. 151 Col. Centro CP 48900 Autlan de Jalisco, Mexico

ACCEPTED: 18 December 2018

Emergency treatment for a venomous snakebite in rural southern Mexico


Now published, see the full article go to

Early Abstract:

In Latin America, 51,995 emergencies and 337 deaths are caused by snakebites yearly. Prompt and adequate treatment is crucial after an envenomation. We here report the case of a 40-year-old male agriculturalist, who was bitten by a venomous snake. Hours after the bite, he was admitted at the nearest clinic, diagnosed with type IV envenomation. After initial antivenom treatment he was transported to an urban hospital. Hemorrhage persisted and the patient developed compartmental syndrome and renal failure.  The patient died three days after the accident. To reduce fatalities from snakebite envenomation, such as the case we here presented, there is a need for coordinated multilevel approach, collaborative work and continuous medical training.