Alarm in the Slovenian mountains: why more snakebites this year?

Suzana Husukić, an oncologist who has personally faced cancer twice, spoke candidly during an interview with Domovina about the emotional and physical toll of battling the disease. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma while carrying her third child, she endured two years of intensive treatment, including a stem cell transplant. In the conversation, she revealed her fears, the impact on her family, and how such a trial reshapes a person's perspective on life. Her experience underscores the resilience required to face illness head-on, day after day. The incident involving venomous snakes in Slovenia took place this summer, with multiple cases reported across mountain regions. Helicopters were deployed four times at the University Clinical Centre Ljubljana, responding to incidents where climbers encountered venomous snakes. One case involved a 75-year-old climber near Blejska Koča who was bitten by a viper while descending a steep path. The man had initially ignored the snake, which was resting on a branch, before being bitten on his right hand. Two young foreign climbers later encountered the same viper near the same area, each suffering bites to their legs and fingers. Despite the severity of their injuries, they continued their journey to the refuge and sought help only after approximately 45 minutes. They were transported via helicopter to the clinic for treatment with antivenom. In total, nine snake bites were treated at the UKC Ljubljana this year. While all patients received pain relief and close monitoring of heart and breathing functions, none required antivenom. Medical staff administer antivenom only in severe cases where swelling spreads rapidly or when general symptoms of poisoning appear, such as weakness, confusion, difficulty breathing, or a drop in blood pressure. Antivenom is available at both the Ljubljana and Maribor clinics. This year marks the first time since 2016 that a fatality occurred due to a snake bite in Slovenia. An 80-year-old woman from Gorenjska died after being bitten by a viper while walking home. She lost consciousness, suffered abdominal pain, and had trouble breathing. Her condition worsened during transport to the hospital, leading to her death. Such fatalities are rare in Europe, typically affecting young children, infants, or elderly individuals with existing heart, skin, or lung conditions. There is currently no official monitoring system in place to track snake populations in Slovenia. Biologist Maj Kastelic from the Herpetological Society explains that while there is no comprehensive population tracking, knowledge exists regarding the habitats of different venomous species. Three types of venomous snakes are found in Slovenia, all belonging to the viper family. The most common is the adder, widely distributed throughout the country, even in lowland areas. The second is the common viper, which is more prevalent in higher elevations. The third, the wolf spider, is found primarily in Italy and neighboring countries, reaching its northernmost extent in Slovenia along the border with Italy. Despite reports of increased snake encounters this year, Kastelic does not confirm a rise in population. He notes that while the number of bites has increased, this could be attributed to greater awareness among the public rather than a true increase in snake numbers. Experts advise that upon encountering a snake bite, one should remain calm, remove jewelry from the affected area, clean the wound, apply a sterile bandage, and keep the limb elevated. It is crucial to avoid old myths, such as cutting the bite or attempting to extract venom through incisions or heat. Instead, immediate medical attention should be sought by calling emergency services.