SNAKEBITE REMEDIES RUNNING LOW ELSEWHERE; SUPPLIES HERE GOOD

There's some good news and some bad news for hunters, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts concerning venomous and non-venomous snakes.

The good news is that the risk of dying from a venomous snakebite in the United States is low.

The bad news is that the potential for a venomous snakebite exists in more than two-thirds of the country, including Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

People do die from snakebites.

Any poisonous snake bite should be considered a medical emergency, says the American Red Cross. A bite may inject varying degrees of toxic venom.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that between 9 and 15 people annually never recover from that "ouchy" bite that occurs as many as 8,000 times year, mostly by non-venomous snakes.

Medical professionals say anyone who is bit by a snake should seek prompt medical care. Even a bite from a so-called 'harmless' snake can cause an infection or allergic reaction to some people. Outdoors enthusiasts are not the only group at risk.

People may find a venomous snake in their back-yard woodpiles, under porches, and on occasion, even inside the house.

Another items in the "bad news" category is the fact that snakebite treatment supplies are running short across the United States.

But, not in this area.

Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center each reported a good supply of the antivenin supplies, along with some veterinarians, although both medical facilities had to replace supplies earlier this summer.

The two hospitals exhausted their supplies, using 10 vials of the antivenin supplies in one serious case, when a man suffered rattlesnake bite.

Snakebites are surprisingly common in the United States, especially at this time of year, according to the FDA. As many as 16 Americans a day suffer life-threatening snake bites during this peak time of year.

Wyeth-Ayerst, the only drug-maker to make the anti-venom medicine, closed its plant earlier this year for remodeling and improvements.

The U.S. is about halfway through its snake-bite season, with August, September and early October being the high-bite months. A recent survey shows that many hospitals have a limited amount of the antivenin supplies, which are on "short-supply" order status.

Venomous snakes are found in 47 of the 50 states. Every state except Maine, Alaska and Hawaii is home to at least one of the 20 domestic poisonous snake species.

"Venomous snakes do not lie in wait to pounce on unsuspecting humans" said Ben Russell, of the Missouri Department or Conservation. "They usually mind their own business and take their rightful place in the ecosystem with every other natural creature. They do serve an important role in balancing the habitat. But, when they are threatened or disturbed, they will attack."

Roger Eakins, an animal specialist with university extension, often runs into snakes during his rounds. "They'll be hiding under rocks, and in some cases, you can see them sunning on rocks," he said.

Two families of venomous snakes are native to the United States. The vast majority are in the pit vipers classification, which includes rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths (water moccasins). About 99 percent of the venomous bites in this country are from pit vipers.

The other family of domestic poisonous snakes is Elapidae, which includes two species of coral snakes found chiefly in the Southern United States. Though coral snakebites are rare in the United States -- about 25 a year -- the snake's venom, which attacks the nervous system, can be dangerous.