A fatal cobra-bite in a snake expert

Mymensingh Med J. 2010 Apr;19(2):303-7.

Abstract

A 35-year-old so called snake-expert from Thakurgaon district was admitted in Medicine department of Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RpMCH), Rangpur, Bangladesh on 2nd November 2007 with history of bites by a cobra snake. He was famous for his outstanding works to establish a snake farm first ever in Bangladesh. He had a collection of more than one hundred snakes of different species. He used to hatch eggs of the snakes, feed the young-snakes, collect venoms and sell those. Everyday many visitors used to visit his farm to watch exciting games with poisonous snakes. Several satellite television (TV) channels and some daily newspapers had covered him on different occasions. He was accidentally bitten by a newly caught hungry cobra snake while recording for a satellite TV channel. Following bites he was brought to the hospital three and a half hours later. By that time, neurotoxicity developed. Repeated doses of Anti Snake Venom (ASV) along with respiratory support and other supportive cares were provided. Despite utmost care feasible at RpMCH, patient expired around 49 hours later.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antivenins / therapeutic use
  • Bangladesh
  • Elapidae*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Snake Bites / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antivenins