TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 1,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in Taiwan each year, and the agency warned that the upcoming Tomb Sweeping holiday is a peak period for snake bites.
The CDC advised citizens visiting remote cemeteries or doing light landscaping to take precautions, including wearing long-sleeved clothing and boots and carrying a stick to scare away snakes. If bitten, individuals should follow the “five dos and five don’ts” recommended by the agency, per CNA.
The five dos include treating the wound as a venomous snakebite, remembering the snake’s appearance, removing jewelry to prevent swelling, applying a bandage above the wound to slow the spread of venom, and seeking immediate medical attention. The five don’ts are: do not cut the wound, do not suck out venom, do not apply ice to avoid tissue necrosis, do not drink alcohol or other stimulating beverages, and do not delay medical care.
Taiwan’s subtropical, warm, and humid climate supports a wide variety of venomous snakes. The six most common snakes responsible for venomous bites are the hundred-pacer, bamboo pit viper, Taiwan habu, many-banded krait, Taiwan cobra, and Russell’s viper.
National Health Insurance data from 2017 to 2021 show an average of 979 snakebite cases per year, with the highest demand for antivenom against the Taiwan habu and bamboo pit viper, accounting for more than 80% of cases. Antivenom for the many-banded krait and Taiwan cobra makes up about 11% of treatments.
Statistics also indicate that men over 45 years old are treated most often, and snakebite distribution varies by region. Taiwan habu and bamboo pit viper bites are more common in southern and eastern Taiwan, while many-banded krait and Taiwan cobra bites occur more often in central Taiwan.
CDC spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said 195 domestic medical institutions stock antivenom. The CDC itself maintains a stockpile of 6,000 doses across four types, sufficient for at least 18 months.
The mortality rate from venomous snakebites in Taiwan has dropped to 0.18%, and no deaths have been reported from allergic reactions to antivenom, demonstrating the treatment’s effectiveness.
Lin reminded the public that anyone planning to visit cemeteries, go hiking, or engage in mountain climbing or camping during holidays should take precautions. He advised wearing long sleeves and closed shoes, beating grass to scare away snakes, avoiding hollow trees and rocks, and steering clear of such areas at night, at sunrise, or after rain, when snakes are most active.
