In Ukraine, 30 snakebite-related medical consultations were recorded over five months, including 4 children among those affected

In less than half a year, 30 requests for medical assistance due to snakebites have been registered in Ukraine; 4 children were among those affected, UNN reports, citing the Ministry of Health.

According to data provided by the Public Health Center of Ukraine, from March to the beginning of August, 30 requests for medical assistance due to snakebites were registered in Ukraine. Four children were among those affected 

Geographically, the registered cases were distributed as follows:

• Zhytomyr region – 10 cases;
• Ivano-Frankivsk region – 9;
• Lviv region – 5;
• Chernivtsi region – 4;
• Zakarpattia and Rivne regions – 1 each.

What is important to know about snakes

There are no deadly venomous snakes in Ukraine. There are three species of venomous snakes in our country: the steppe viper, the common viper, and Nikolsky’s viper. None of them poses a mortal danger to a healthy adult.

Snakes do not attack first. If disturbed, a snake will be forced to defend itself. When you see a snake, calmly wait for it to slither away on its own. Do not make sudden movements, do not try to approach or drive it away, and especially do not kill it.

Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling the rodent population.

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Where you may encounter a snake

Snakes are active only during the warm season—from April until late autumn. They are most often found in marshy areas, near overgrown lakes and ponds, in the mountains and steppes, as well as near piles of construction materials and other similar places.

Reptiles often hide in old stumps, haystacks, under stones or the trunks of fallen trees, while in sunny weather snakes bask on tree stumps, paths, and open areas.