OKINAWA, Japan -- As autumn temperatures bring relief from Okinawa’s summer heat, the cooler weather also raises safety concerns due to increased activity of potentially deadly habu snakes.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government warns that September through November are habu caution months, and along with military public health and safety officials, recommend some extra caution while enjoying outdoor activities this time of year.
“Habus become dormant in winter, so during the fall months they venture out in search of a protected place to take refuge. Also, the cooler weather makes food less abundant than it is during the summer months so the snakes have to look harder for their meals,” said Lt. Cmdr. Marion A. Gregg, a physician and director of public health for U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa.
“Mostly, habus inhabit jungles, sugarcane farms and other heavily vegetated areas, but they can be found anywhere,” according to Jun Inoha, with the safety department of USNHO. “They’re often found in or around tombs, wood piles, bushes, craggy rocks or in holes where insects and rodents abound, such as near trash heaps,” he said.
Habu snakes have a very aggressive temperament, according to Inoha.
“Their strike is quick,” said Inoha. “Many people who have been bitten have underestimated their strike zone. If you encounter a habu, leave it alone.”
The USNHO emergency department records show that three status of forces agreement members have been treated for habu bites to date in 2013.
“According to OPG data, during the past ten years there have been an average of approximately 91 bite cases a year in Okinawa, including the other islands in the prefecture,” said Motoko Bennett, a public health specialist with USNHO.
Although the overall rate of recorded fatalities from habu bites is less than one percent, the venom is highly toxic.
“The habu venom is extremely dangerous and can potentially cause severe and permanent damage,” said Gregg. “It destroys red blood cells, has a necrotizing effect on tissue, and the bite carries the possibility of infection. The key to effectively treating the bite and minimizing the venom’s effect is to get medical help immediately.”
If a person is bitten, the proper first aid treatment is to place a cool towel loosely over the bite to slow circulation and control swelling while getting the victim to medical assistance, according to Gregg. Tourniquets are not effective and should not be applied.
“Above all, do not attempt to cut the wound open and suck out the venom,” said Inoha. “This does not help and will only worsen the injury. It could even cause further complications.”
The USNHO is prepared to treat anyone who becomes a victim of a habu bite.
“We have the means to treat bites here at the hospital,” said Gregg. “Habu anti-venom is readily available at USNHO and is stocked at just about every Japanese emergency room on the island.
“There is an urban legend going around the military community in Okinawa saying that after receiving the anti-venom, the victim must be evacuated from the island, never to return. That’s simply not true,” added Gregg.
Another common misconception is the need to kill or capture the snake and bring it to the ER when receiving treamtent for a bite.
“It’s very dangerous and totally unnecessary to try to capture the snake,” said Gregg. “Habus don’t always inject venom with the bite and the anti-venom is very powerful, so proper medical protocol involves symptomatic treatment.”
To avoid bites and reduce the chances of an encounter with a habu at home or around your work area, OPG recommends the following actions:
Keep grass cut low and vegetation trimmed back
Eliminate habitat by not leaving bulk trash outside, sealing wall crevices, etc.
Wear long pants, closed shoes and long sleeve shirts
Maintain good pest control
Avoid bushes and areas with thick vegetation