Are rattlesnake bites becoming more dangerous?
PHOENIX (May 19, 2008) With the onset of triple digit temperatures in central Arizona, the Banner Poison Control Center reminds residents to use extra caution and keep a watchful eye when walking, hiking or climbing in the desert and surrounding mountain parks. Homeowners living near these areas should also be aware of these desert dwellers. The Banner Poison Control Center, located at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, is one of the nation’s busiest poison centers in treating rattlesnake bites. Specialists at the center received 14,000 calls concerning persons bitten or stung by snakes, scorpions, spiders or other venomous creatures in 2007. Seriously ill victims are admitted to area hospitals or transferred to Banner Good Samaritan for care by physician toxicologists with the poison center. Toxicologists with the Banner Poison Control Center, though, have noted a disturbing trend with rattlesnake bites over the past few years, and took additional steps this week to warn emergency
