Screenshot of the official WeChat account of Sanya's health commission in South China’s Hainan Province

Sanya's health commission in South China's Hainan Province on Friday early morning issued another report on the latest incident of a female who passed away due to suspected snake bite.

On Monday, a female was bitten by an unidentified creature in Sanya, Hainan Province, and passed away. "We are deeply saddened by this incident. The provincial and municipal authorities have attached great importance to the matter, swiftly establishing an expert team to strictly follow relevant procedures for handling the case. They have sealed the medical records and other related materials, conducted a thorough investigation, and arranged for dedicated personnel to communicate with the family to express concern, understand their needs, and provide necessary support services," the health commission said in a release issued on its official WeChat account.

The expert team conducted a comprehensive investigation by reviewing video surveillance, medical records, and inquiry transcripts, said the release.

Around midnight on Monday, the female and her boyfriend were walking back to their hotel when her right toe was bitten by an unidentified creature. She turned on her phone's flashlight to check but did not find the creature that caused the injury. At 12:08 am, they returned to the hotel to clean the wound. At 12:29 am, the female and her boyfriend took a ride-hailing service to Sanya Central Hospital, arriving at the emergency department at 1:05 am. The hospital's surveillance footage and medical records indicate that the patient reported feeling nauseous and experiencing numbness in her right lower limb one hour after being bitten, but did not mention being bitten by a snake, according to the release.

Upon examination, the emergency doctor noted two indistinct bite marks on the second toe of the right foot, approximately 1 cm apart, with no redness or discharge around the area. The patient reported a history of acute pharyngitis one day prior and had self-medicated, denying any history of drug allergies. Based on the patient's history and symptoms, the doctor followed the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for common animal bites and provided symptomatic treatment, including observation and intravenous fluids, while closely monitoring vital signs, according to the release.

At 3:24 am, the patient exhibited symptoms of tongue numbness, indicating a sudden worsening of her condition. At 3:35 am, medical staff transferred her to the resuscitation room for monitoring and organized an expert consultation, suspecting a snake bite. At 4:06 am, Sanya Central Hospital contacted and arranged for an ambulance to transfer her to a designated treatment facility with anti-venom serum. She arrived at one hospital at 4:28 am, where treatment measures such as fluid resuscitation, blood pressure support, and administration of anti-venom serum were initiated due to her agitation, rapid breathing, and declining blood oxygen saturation. At 4:58 am, the patient experienced cardiac and respiratory arrest. Despite all efforts to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead, according to the release.

Currently, the commission is still in communication with the family regarding issues such as autopsy to further ascertain the cause of death. The commission is conducting the investigation in accordance with laws and regulations, continuing to provide support and care for the family. It also urged the public to respect the privacy of the deceased and refrain from spreading rumors, according to the release.

The health authority of Hainan Province has published the snake antivenom reserves at 29 hospitals across the province, Hainan Daily reported on Friday. According to the antivenom stock status table released by Hainan Provincial Health Commission, 29 hospitals at different levels in the province have stockpiled between one and four types of antivenom, said the report.

On Tuesday evening, the Sanya Health Commission released a report, confirming the death of a tourist and saying that it has formed an investigation team, sealed the medical records and working closely with experts to expedite the investigation.

Global Times