The Jacksonville area is seeing a spike in snakebites and wildlife officials said rain from Hurricane Michael could draw more snakes out into the open this week.
Ethan Masters is one of 12 people who have been bitten by a snake in the past two weeks in the Jacksonville area.
The 7-year-old said he was playing hide-and-seek with his sister in Hilliard when a pygmy rattlesnake bit him.
“It was in the bush and I didn’t see it,” Ethan said. “It just came out of nowhere and bit me."
Ethan’s family called 911 immediately. He was taken to UF Health Jacksonville, where he got his first injection of anti-venom, his family said.
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“They sent him to Wolfson's for follow-ups and close observations, and they gave him some anti-venom as well," his grandmother Diane Masters said.
The Poison Control Center said 42 other people have been bitten by snakes in Florida in the past two weeks.
According to wildlife officials, snakes are more active during the fall and, with rain expected from Hurricane Michael this week, even more could be on the move.
“Any woodpile, kids' toys, the yard toys they use to climb on outside -- make sure you check it,” Masters said. "A snake will find a way to get up in it."
A Poison Control Center spokesperson said, if you are bitten, you should keep the injured extremity still and at or below your heart.
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The center is warning people not to put ice on the bite area, to avoid eating and to not cut or apply a tourniquet to the injury.
The spokesperson said, if you plan to spend time outdoors, make sure you have a phone and keys with you. And if you are bitten, call the Poison Control Center while on your way to the emergency room.
After spending three nights at the hospital, Ethan is back to running around and playing with his sister.
His grandmother said the family will be keeping a close eye out for snakes.
“Your kids -- their lives are very precious and irreplaceable,” she said. “Any kid who ever gets bit by a snake, don’t take it lightly.”
You can learn more about snakes and what to do if you or someone you know is bitten by a snake on the FWC website or the Poison Control Center website.
Cox Media Group
