– I spent two nights in hospital, and my arm was swollen for three to four weeks, says Olav Brandsdal. The 71-year-old from Kristiansand was bitten on the finger by a viper when he was weeding in the garden. He says he had a violent reaction. – When I was picked up in an ambulance, it had already started. He tells about symptoms such as chest pain, stomach cramps, vomiting and pressure behind the eyes. In addition, the hand swelled up significantly. Brandsdal is not alone in being bitten by vipers this year. 71-year-old Olav Brandsdal had a strong reaction when he was bitten by a viper while gardening. At the hospital, he received antibiotics and a tetanus shot. Photo: private More inquiries this year Poison Information had a doubling in the number of inquiries about vipers in May compared to last year. The number went from 39 in May 2022 to 83 in May 2023. And so far in June they have received 122 inquiries, against a total of 94 in the whole of June last year. – We are approaching the peak years in 2020 and 2021, says Marit Osterud, department director for Poison Information at FHI. The poison information center is contacted both about bites and suspected bites. Some may also contact you several times. – In addition, there are also a number of inquiries from hospitals and emergency services, says Osterud. Osterud believes that the high numbers in the corona years may be related to the fact that many people were not allowed to travel abroad – They were on holiday in Norway and that probably meant that there were more outdoors where they could encounter vipers. Different reactions According to Osterud, some are more susceptible than others. – Both the elderly and the youngest are more susceptible to getting sick from viper bites, she says. She says that it can degenerate in various ways. Some people experience swelling, which may come on in the first few hours or develop over the next few days. – It is very important to be aware that the swelling can be an important reason why you need treatment. It can become so large that it puts pressure on things that are important, explains Osterud. Others have a more dramatic course with nausea, vomiting and a drop in blood pressure. It can affect both breathing and heartbeat. If you feel ill, you should call 113, says Osterud. – If you just feel a little unwell and are unsure, you can call the Poisons Information Center for advice, she says. But not everyone gets sick even if they are bitten. – It is because the viper has not delivered any venom, and then there will be no other symptoms than two small dots, says Osterud. Viper is one of three free-living snake species in Norway, and the only one that is poisonous. The snake is protected in Norway. Photo: Espen Bierud / news Don’t think there are more vipers than before Zoologist Roar Solheim at the University of Agder doesn’t think there are more vipers this year than in the past. He believes there are other reasons why Poison Information is now experiencing an increase in enquiries. – I have no indications that vipers really vary in number in particular from year to year. But vipers can change their activity pattern from one year to another, says Solheim. This can happen, for example, as a result of the availability of food. – If there is little food, they may have to crawl around more and search, which makes it easier to spot them. Solheim says another possible reason for the increase in inquiries to Poison Information could be that more people are out due to the fine, dry weather. – People can be more active and out more, therefore there is a greater likelihood of more people coming across vipers and being bitten, he says. Zoologist Roar Solheim does not think there are more vipers this year than in the past. Photo: Miriam Grov
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Several people contact about viper bite – Olav (71) ended up in hospital – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
