Toddler Recovering After Being Bitten By Snake In Chino Hills
CHINO HILLS (CBSLA.com) — A 3-year-old girl was airlifted Tuesday to a hospital after being bitten by a snake in Chino Hills.
The rattlesnake bit the child on her left knee while she was walking with her daycare class. It happened around 9:30 a.m. on a trail near Soquel Canyon Road and Pipeline Avenue.
Paramedics rushed the girl to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where she is listed in critical but stable condition after receiving a dose of antivenom, according to Loma Linda University Medical Center spokeswoman Briana Pastorino.
"She's responsive. Our clinical team of nurses and doctors are taking very good care of her. When I left the patient's room, she was watching cartoons," Pastorino said.
Tuesday's incident is the third in just the past month. An 8-year-old child in Perris and a 7-year-old child in Lake Elsinore were also bitten by snakes on April 3 and March 27, respectively.
Rattlesnake season is between April and October. "They're out mating. The male snakes are looking for mates. Most of the bites are caused by male snakes," said Bill Hayes, biology professor at Loma Linda University. "And it's cool enough that they're active a lot during the daytime, especially mornings and afternoons."
The chances of encountering rattlesnakes are more likely during warmer weather, Chino Valley Fire officials said.
They are asking people to be alert while hiking and enjoying the outdoors. If you see a snake, stop and back away, never try to touch or scare it away.
To avoid a rattlesnake bite, authorities say hikers should:
- Wear only hiking boots
- Stick to well-used trails
- Avoid stepping or putting your hands where you cannot see
- Never hike alone
- Avoid touching a freshly killed snake, which can still inject venom
- Teach children early to respect snakes and leave them alone
If you are bitten by a snake, experts warn against sucking out the venom or putting a tourniquet on the wound. Instead, head straight to the emergency room.
"The only good snake bite treatment is going to be first-aid treatment will be your keys and a cellphone. Get to the hospital," Hayes said.
He said the girl was mostly like bitten by a Southern Pacific or Red Diamond rattlesnake.
