x was bitten by a viper – a record number of reports of snake bites

Now is high season for vipers and the Poison Information Center has received more calls about snake bites than usual.
– The better the weather, the more vipers, says Johanna Grass, chief physician at the Poison Information Centre.

During the month of July, when it is high season for vipers, the Poison Information Center usually receives the most calls each year.

– So far we have received 532 calls, says Johanna Grass.

She tells TV4 Nyheterna that it is difficult to say whether this summer will be a record year or not. A lot depends on the weather.

– There was an increase in May this year, when 149 people called, compared to May last year when 82 people called. However, it was the same number who called in June this year as last year.

In May and June this year, so far more people have called compared to 2022, 2021 and 2019. The record year was 2018. Then the poison information center received 1225 calls about vipers.

– We are in the middle of high season, so it is difficult to say whether there will be more than in 2018. But the better the weather, the more vipers, says Johanna Grass.

This is what you do if you get bitten by a snake

One reason why many people get bitten by vipers is that many people choose to stay outside during the summer period.

– When the weather is sunny, we are outside and then the vipers are also out sunbathing. Then there is a greater risk of being bitten by a viper.

According to Johanna Grass, it is always important to seek medical attention if you have been bitten by a viper.

– The problem with vipers is that in 25-30 percent of cases they only bite dry. But you cannot know which snake bites are harmless and if you have been injected with poison.

– You can get really sick and there have been cases of death described, although it is unusual.