Summer adder advice issued

The Health Protection Agency’s specialist commissioned National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) said that between 2009 and 2011, they were asked for help 196 times after patients were bitten by adders.
Adders are the only venomous snakes living wild in England, Scotland and Wales, and about half of the bites the NPIS were alerted to occurred after a snake was picked up.
Director of NPIS Newcastle, Professor Simon Thomas, said: "Adder numbers have decreased in recent years so they are rare but still present in certain areas.
"They usually keep well out of sight, but in the summer months are active because the weather is warmer. Because they are well camouflaged people can accidentally tread on them, which is when they can bite. They can also bite if picked up.
“The bite can have very nasty effects, especially in smaller children – so it’s best to take care when out walking, wear appropriate footwear for the terrain and do not handle any snakes. Sometimes the venomous adder can be mistaken for non-venomous species such as the grass snake or smooth snake, making people think it is safe to pick them up.”
He added: "Because of this our advice is simply to do what you can to minimise your exposure. Do go out and enjoy the countryside. That’s really important.
“But if you are going somewhere with large areas of open space, just think about what you’re doing and most importantly of all, if you come across an adder, or indeed any snake or reptile, give it the respect it deserves as a wild animal and leave it alone.”
Anyone bitten by a snake should seek urgent medical attention.