A climbing trip in the Swiss Jura took a dangerous turn after a 35-year-old man was bitten on the hand by a venomous snake in steep terrain near Balsthal, Switzerland. He was flown to a hospital in Bern where an appropriate antivenom was available.
Here’s what to know
Swissinfo reported, citing the press office of the Swiss Air Rescue Service (Rega), that a 35-year-old was climbing with a companion near Balsthal, Switzerland, when he was suddenly bitten on the hand during a lead climb.
His hand started to swell rapidly, so the two climbers called cantonal emergency medical services on 144. They then requested a rescue helicopter through Rega’s national air rescue center.
Because the rescue site was in steep, hard-to-access terrain, Rega sent the helicopter crew from its Basel base and also brought in a rescue specialist from Swiss Alpine Rescue. That specialist was lowered by winch to prepare the injured climber for evacuation.
Following consultation with the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre, the helicopter took the man to Inselspital in Bern, where the required antivenom was available. The snake was believed to be an asp viper, a venomous species native to the Balsthal area of Solothurn.
The asp viper is part of the local ecosystem, so this was not an invasive species turning up out of place.
Rega, Swiss Alpine Rescue, and the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre worked together to connect the patient with a hospital that had the necessary treatment on hand.
This case shows how important quick medical care is after a snake bite, especially when the snake is known to be venomous.
Where can I learn more?
These stories show how quickly venomous snake encounters can turn serious in very different settings. They include viper bites that sent people to hospitals, a fatal cobra bite at an Egyptian resort, and broader warnings about snakebite risk as conditions change.
• In Jerusalem Forest, two teenagers were hospitalized after viper bites during warm weather.
• At a Hurghada resort, a tourist was fatally bitten during a hotel snake show.
• Across India, snakebite incidents are rising as hotter conditions push more encounters.
• Worldwide, billions could face rising snakebite danger as venomous species shift ranges.
• In Geelong, Victoria, a venomous snake wrapped around a woman during a frightening encounter.
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