Hospitals treat 1,000 poisonous snakebites annually in Taiwan

台灣醫院每年收治近1000例毒蛇咬傷病例

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan sees nearly 1,000 cases of poisonous snakebites each year, with the Centers for Disease Control reporting an average of 979 individuals treated with antivenom annually from 2017 to 2021.

The CDC said Taiwan’s warm and humid subtropical climate is ideal for snake breeding, and rising interest in outdoor activities has increased the public’s exposure to venomous snakes.

Of those treated with antivenom each year, 82.9% (811 individuals) were bitten by either a Taiwan habu (pointed scale viper) or a bamboo viper. The remainder included 110 cases involving the Taiwan banded krait or Taiwan cobra.

Snake activity typically peaks between May and October, with the highest number of bites occurring in August—an average of 112 cases, or 11.4% of the annual total. October and November follow, accounting for 11.1% and 10.5% of annual bites, respectively.

Most victims are men over the age of 45. In southern and eastern Taiwan, antivenom is most commonly used to treat bites from the Taiwan habu and bamboo viper, while central Taiwan sees more use of serum for the Taiwan cobra and many-banded krait.

The CDC is currently the only licensed domestic manufacturer of antivenom and supplies the full national stock. Thanks to this centralized system, the mortality rate for snakebites in Taiwan stands at just 0.18%, with no reported deaths from allergic reactions to the serum.

The CDC reminds the public that most snakes are shy and rarely attack humans unless provoked. When hiking or visiting rural areas, avoid approaching or disturbing snakes, and do not allow pets to interact with them.

If bitten by a snake, the CDC advises remembering the following five steps:

Treat all bites as venomous until proven otherwise.

Try to remember the snake’s appearance to aid identification.

Remove jewelry or tight clothing near the bite site to allow for swelling.

Lightly bandage above the bite to slow the spread of venom.

Stay calm and seek immediate medical treatment.


At the same time, avoid the following five actions:

Do not cut the wound.

Do not attempt to suck out the venom.

Do not apply ice or cold packs.

Do not consume alcohol or stimulant beverages.

Do not delay professional medical care.

There are currently 195 medical institutions in Taiwan that stock antivenom. The national stockpile includes 6,000 doses covering four types of venom and is expected to meet demand for at least the next 18 months.

Antivenom is a prescription medication and is only available through authorized medical institutions. The public is advised not to purchase drugs of unknown origin. For more information, visit the CDC Global Information Network or call the epidemic prevention hotline at 1922 (0800-001922).