Snake attacks girl

MICKAYLA Thaver, 12, is recovering after she was bitten by an unidentified snake on Saturday evening.

The Grade 7 pupil from Dawncrest in Verulam was bitten while at a family get-together at her maternal grandmother’s home in Everest Heights.

Melisha Deoraj, Mickayla’s mother, said they were sitting in the yard when the incident happened.

“Mickayla walked past a pot plant and she stepped on to the snake. The snake struck her on her right foot and she began screaming. We saw a green snake slither under a car. The snake was long and as thick as a 50-cent coin. We could not tell its type.”

Deoraj said there were two holes in Mickayla’s foot.

“There was blood coming out of the holes. At first, we thought she got hurt. Then she began having difficulty breathing, she could not swallow her saliva and she was in pain.”

Deoraj said a relative drove Mickayla to the Reaction Unit South Africa office so that their paramedics could treat her.

“When we arrived at the office, an ambulance was dispatched to take my daughter to Osindisweni Hospital. She was in a lot of pain. I was just hoping and praying she would be okay.”

Deoraj said at the hospital a doctor checked Mickayla’s vitals and gave her a tetanus injection.

“The doctor also did a blood test and it showed that no venom was in Mickayla’s system. The swelling of her foot and other symptoms was a result of an allergic reaction.”

Deoraj said Mickayla was discharged on Sunday.

“Her foot is still swollen and she is in pain. I have asked her not to move around too much and allow herself to heal. We are so thankful that it was not more serious. We often hear of snakes being found in residential areas. My advice to parents would be to educate themselves on how to handle a situation like this.”

Deoraj said the snake had not been found.

Nick Evans, a snake catcher and the founder of the KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, advised that a snake-bite victim be taken to a hospital immediately.

“It would help if a picture of the snake is taken so the doctors can identify it and treat the patient accordingly. Don't try to suck out the venom from the affected area.

“We are seeing more snakes in Durban because their natural habitat is getting smaller. Residents must ensure that their yards are clear of clutter because clutter attracts rats which attract snakes.”