Can Australia prevent death by snake bite?

HE WORKS with deadly creatures — taipans, redback spiders, box jellyfish — but insists the risk is worth it. University of Melbourne toxinologist Ken Winkel says Australian antivenom research has come a long way since it began in Melbourne in the 1890s, with biopharmaceutical company CSL releasing the first antivenom in Victoria in 1930. Dr Winkel is director of the Australian Venom Research Unit.

 

Is it risky work?
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We have a PhD student working on a project in Papua New Guinea who recently survived a near-death experience after a bite from a Papuan taipan. Researchers take their life into their hands. My job is manning the fort back here, nurturing a new generation of researchers. Melbourne has had the longest involvement, academically, in research on Australia's venomous creatures — with much success.



Tell us about the Australian Venomous Injury Project.

We are focused on how to improve the diagnosis, management and prevention of bites and stings in Australia. The AVRU is trying also to reach out to parts of the world that are, in real terms, far more at risk for bites and stings — for example, with research in PNG that could offer solutions for many tropical developing nations.



How many people die of snake bites in Australia each year?

There are 500 to 600 hospital admissions — with two to four deaths. In one sense, that's a small number and that's because, broadly speaking, we have the equipment to handle the problem. But the fact remains these deaths continue to occur even with all our knowledge and resources.



Is there a main culprit?

We found the No. 1 cause of death is a bite from a brown snake — that's a broad term, as there are different groups of brown snake. The brown snake has extremely potent venom. But also they have very small fangs, so, in fact, the average person who is bitten by one may not get a serious bite. If you wear boots and gaters to protect your ankles, you're doing a good job to protect yourself.



Where do most of the deaths occur?

In the warmer, northerly parts of the country. We have had two snake bite deaths in Victoria in the past decade, and snake bite itself is a regular event, but it's not as common as in Queensland. In Tasmania, the last snake bite death was in '79. Fortunately, Tasmania only has one major group of snakes, so it's not a complex decision to decide which antivenom to use, whereas in central Queensland you have got death adders, the black snake, taipans, tiger-type snakes and brown snakes.

Are there gaps in the medical expertise?

In fact, we have great hospitals and ambulances; we have got the Royal Flying Doctor Service; we have had the pressure immobilisation method of first aid since '79; and we have got antivenom for all the major venomous snakes. But most snake bite fatalities are due to people not using appropriate first aid.



This is where the AVRU unit plays an educational role.

We have a lot of misunderstandings among the public. Some people get bitten by a snake and don't recognise it, or misidentify the snake, or think they are immune because they have been bitten before and nothing's happened. One part of what the AVRU does is trying to get the message out to the public, doctors and schools.



What should you do if bitten by a snake?

Don't use cutting, sucking or Condy's crystals, and don't drink a bottle of booze and walk around — these were recommendations from medical authorities in the past. It's a good idea to get first-aid training. The message from our hospital audits is early — within minutes — and effective first aid can save your life (see: www.avru.org).