Animal-Associated Hazards
Animals in general tend to avoid human beings, but they can
attack, particularly if they are protecting their young or territory. Travelers
should be reminded that, in areas of endemic rabies, domestic dogs, cats, or
other mammals should never be petted, handled, or fed. Wild animals should be
avoided; most injuries from wild animals are the direct result of attempting to
pet, handle, or feed the animals.
Poisonous snakes are hazards in many locations, although
deaths from snakebites are relatively rare. The Australian brown snake,
Russell's viper, and cobras in southern Asia; carpet vipers in the Middle East;
and coral snakes and rattlesnakes in the Americas are particularly dangerous.
Most snakebites are the direct result of handling or harassing snakes, which
bite as a defensive reaction. Attempts to kill snakes are dangerous. The venom
of a small or immature snake can be even more concentrated than that of larger
ones; therefore, all snakes should be left alone.Fewer
than half of all snakebite wounds actually contain venom, but travelers should
be advised to seek medical attention any time a bite wound breaks the skin.
Immobilization of the affected limb and application of a pressure bandage that
does not restrict vascular flow are recommended first-aid measures while the
victim is moved as quickly as possible to a medical facility. Tourniquets that
impair blood flow to the affected limb are contraindicated. Specific therapy for
snakebite is controversial, and should be left to the judgment of local
emergency medical personnel. Snakes tend to be active at night and in warm
weather. As a precaution, boots and long pants should be worn when walking
outdoors at night in areas possibly inhabited by venomous snakes.
The bites and stings of and contact with some arthropods
cause unpleasant reactions. Travelers should be advised to seek medical
attention if an insect bite or sting causes redness, swelling, bruising,
or persistent pain. Many insects also transmit communicable diseases.
Some insects can bite and transmit disease without the traveler's being
aware of the bite, particularly when the traveler is camping or staying
in rustic or primitive accommodations. Travelers should be advised to
use insect repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito netting when
visiting many parts of the world. (See Protection
Against Mosquitoes and Other Arthropods.) Stings from scorpions can
be painful, but seldom are dangerous, except possibly in infants. In general,
exposure to scorpion envenomations can be avoided by sleeping under mosquito
nets and by shaking clothing and shoes before putting them on, particularly
in the morning.
— Paul Arguin, Timothy Davis, Richard Waxweiler |