B.C. man survives viper bite thanks to help from Woodland Park Zoo
SEATTLE -- A British Columbia man who was bitten by a poisonous viper snake while vacationing in Costa Rica is now recovering in the hospital, thanks to an important assist from Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo.
The 61-year-old man said he was bitten during the night and didn't realize it was from a viper. He did seek treatment in Costa Rica, but due to a language barrier, was only given an antibiotic, zoo officials said.
When the man flew back to Vancouver on Monday, he immediately checked into a hospital where he was diagnosed with kidney failure and swelling from his foot to his mid-thigh.
Based on the patient's symptoms, doctors were able to diagnose the bite as from a Fer-de-lance viper whose venom can be fatal to humans.
Medics found that Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle was the closest facility that had the needed antivenin supply and gave them a call for help Tuesday afternoon. The zoo was able to get 20 vials to Harborview Medical Center, where a waiting helicopter flew the antidote to Vancouver.
Doctors said the patient's condition improved within minutes of receiving the treatment and was considered stable in six hours.
"We are just grateful that this man's life was saved and it was very exciting to work with the institutions involved," said Woodland Park Zoo spokeswoman Gigi Allianic. "We hope he makes it to Woodland Park Zoo sometime."
Allianic says the zoo keeps an emergency supply of the antivenin for Mexican species of pit vipers -- including rattlesnakes, cantils, eyelash vipers and bushmasters -- for their staff just in case because they have vipers in their collection. But the zoo is part of a national database that can supply antivenins wherever it's needed.
The 61-year-old man said he was bitten during the night and didn't realize it was from a viper. He did seek treatment in Costa Rica, but due to a language barrier, was only given an antibiotic, zoo officials said.
When the man flew back to Vancouver on Monday, he immediately checked into a hospital where he was diagnosed with kidney failure and swelling from his foot to his mid-thigh.
Based on the patient's symptoms, doctors were able to diagnose the bite as from a Fer-de-lance viper whose venom can be fatal to humans.
Medics found that Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle was the closest facility that had the needed antivenin supply and gave them a call for help Tuesday afternoon. The zoo was able to get 20 vials to Harborview Medical Center, where a waiting helicopter flew the antidote to Vancouver.
Doctors said the patient's condition improved within minutes of receiving the treatment and was considered stable in six hours.
"We are just grateful that this man's life was saved and it was very exciting to work with the institutions involved," said Woodland Park Zoo spokeswoman Gigi Allianic. "We hope he makes it to Woodland Park Zoo sometime."
Allianic says the zoo keeps an emergency supply of the antivenin for Mexican species of pit vipers -- including rattlesnakes, cantils, eyelash vipers and bushmasters -- for their staff just in case because they have vipers in their collection. But the zoo is part of a national database that can supply antivenins wherever it's needed.
he's an eco tourist extremist
Language barrier? Guess it really IS that difficult for some to point to a wound and say, "Serpiente."
" man who was bitten by a poisonous viper snake"
Sigh, guess as long as we are being wary of "poisonous" snakes maybe we should also be wary of venomous mushrooms..... While I guess you could try to poison yourself by eating the venom sack out of the Fer-de-lance. I keep hopeing beyond hope that a journalist will figure out the difference between poison and venom.
@MINIMac <giggle> venomous mushroom...
whoa - what an experience. Good to know there is antivenin at the zoos, just in case! Glad he's okay now.
Only an American will travel to a foreign country and expect them to speak English. Â Not too bright, considering it almost cost him his life.
@Shadow He is from BC. I was thinking, 'And we think Americans are bad."
No hospital interpeters in Costa Rica
The only good snake is a flat one. Â After I've rolled over it with my car. Â And since I still have on my studded tires, it would be a nice little perforated flat snake.
I hope is kidneys come back on line. It isn't over till they do.Â