Man bitten by Vine/Twig snake

[Emerald]

Hey guys, I read this recently don't know if anyone else has seen it but thought id post it and see what the members had to say.

The Article from the Zululand Observer

Man survives deadly snake bite
"eNseleni farm worker discharged hours after being bitten by one of Africa’s deadliest snakes.
November 26, 2015
Thokozani Mkhwanazi dressed and ready to leave the emergency unit at Ngwelezana Hospital just hours after being bitten by a lethally venomous snake
PHOTO: Tameem Cajee
Thokozani Mkhwanazi dressed and ready to leave the emergency unit at Ngwelezana Hospital just hours after being bitten by a lethally venomous snake PHOTO: Tameem Cajee
HOURS after being bitten by one of Africa’s most deadly snakes, an eNseleni farm worker walked out the Emergency Unit at Ngwelezana Hospital with a smile on his face, ready for work.

This because the serpent had just spent its venom on another victim before biting 21 year-old Thokozani Mkhwanazi.

While chopping down gumtree stumps and loading them into a truck on Tuesday afternoon, Thokozani happened to grab the slender, elongated Vine snake.

The highly venomous and potentially fatal grey-brown Thelotornis capensis, commonly known as a Southern vine, Twig or Bird snake bit its fangs into Thokozani’s index finger.

‘I pulled it off my hand, hit it with a stick and went back to work,’ Thokozani said.

‘Fifteen minutes later my finger started bleeding and my boss took me to hospital.’.

Consultant Specialist Emergency Doctor Innocent Nwachukwu said there was no manifestation of neurological disorders and Thokozani’s blood tests returned clear.

‘We dissected the snake only to find a frog and another smaller snake inside the reptile.

‘The snake had had a full meal before he bit into Thokozani’s hand, hence him not being affected as severely as one would expect,’ Dr Nwachukwu said.


The deadly Vine snake

Common occurrence

Registered Nurse Khayelihle Zulu said on average, the unit deals with seven snake bite cases per week during the summer, five of which are transfers from other districts.

‘Most cases emanate from the uMkhanyakude District which is generally an extremely rural region, thus people tend to be quite careless,’ Zulu said.

‘Most snakes use the same venom for eating and defending themselves, except Green Mamba’s of course, which is why Thokozani was so fortunate.’

As summer soars and the visibility of snakes increase, residents are encouraged to contact an experienced snake catcher for assistance."

This is straight from the paper, and i think although alot of incorrects, this guy has afew guardian angels watching over him........

[Allen G. Liebenberg]

Wouldnt want to be treated for anything at this hospital?

[Bushviper]

Yeah avoid this hospital. They are clueless.

Actually they should not be working on any snake bite patients.

[ragner]

I am so glad to see at least someone with some knowledge is making these statements. I know you are a lecturer on snake bite at Pretoria University. Can you not train more medical staff around the country.

[Ruan Stander]

Wow, scary stuff.

‘Most snakes use the same venom for eating and defending themselves, except Green Mamba’s of course, which is why Thokozani was so fortunate.’

Any idea, (without taking psychedelic drugs) as to what on earth this is trying to convey ?

[Bushviper]

Yeah thanks for that ragner. Next year we have planned to hold training sessions around the country. Prof A Engelbrecht (Emergency medicine specialist) and I will be holding courses in most of the major centres and ensuring that comments such as Green mambas adapting their venom is not taken seriously by anyone in the medical profession. Specialists should also know that Vine snakes cause zero neurological effects.

This week I was also contacted after a doctor discharged a patient stung by a Parabuthid because it was non-venomous. I just had a call about a hospital who wanted to operate on a girl bitten by a button spider. The girl will be discharging herself today.

The courses we will be holding are approved by the HPCSA and any doctors or medics can attend. Unfortunately this is not open to non medical persons.

[Emerald]

Yea its scary to think that even if a handler is unfortunately tagged that he/she has to worry about the doctors knowing exactly what to do....