by croatiaweek
August 20, 2025
in
Poskok (Photo credit: BS Thurner Hof under CC)
We cannot recall in just a few days so many bites, doctors in Istria have said, after three people were treated for snake bites within a short period, including a seven-year-old boy who was left fighting for his life.
The child, bitten by a poskok (nose-horned viper), developed severe complications and had to be airlifted to Rijeka’s Clinical Hospital Centre.
His organs began to fail, but thanks to quick intervention, antivenom, and intensive treatment, his condition stabilised.
“This unfortunate case temporarily endangered the life of a child, but it also showed the strength of our healthcare system,” hospital staff said, 24sata reported.
Soon after, two more cases were recorded. A 27-year-old man from near Labin was bitten and immediately treated with serum before being discharged.
A German tourist was also admitted with bite marks but did not develop symptoms and required no therapy.
Pula hospital director Andrej Angelini stressed the importance of rapid response. “When serum is given early, the outcomes are far better. We currently have 11 doses available and are ordering more due to increased demand,” he noted.
He added: “We have had three cases in a very short time, and both the head of infectology and I agreed – we do not recall so many bites in just a few days.”
Nediljko Landeka from the Istrian Institute of Public Health also urged caution. Around 20–30% of poskok bites are so-called “dry bites”, meaning no venom is injected, but medical supervision is still essential.
“Poskok snakes are shy and usually bite only when startled or threatened. People should take care in their habitats – rocky areas, karst, and woodland – and create vibrations or noise so the snake moves away on its own,” he explained.
Karst Meadow Viper in Mt. Dinara, Croatia (Photo credit: Zwentibold under CC)
Croatia is home to around 15 species of snakes, but only three are venomous: the common adder, the karst meadow viper, and the poskok – the most dangerous due to its size and venom potency.
If bitten by a snake in Croatia, it is important to stay as still as possible and keep the affected arm or leg immobilised to slow the spread of venom.
Common European Adder (Photo credit: Benny Trapp under CC)
Call 112, the national emergency number, without delay or arrange to be taken straight to the nearest hospital.