While the majority of venomous snakebites in the United States are caused by pit vipers, Crotalus species, the increasing number and availability of exotic venomous snakes in private hands makes it essential to expand surveillance and maintain knowledge of and access to all available anti-venoms. Price lists are readily available that demonstrate the widespread availability of venomous snakes through private dealers. While many states have laws restricting ownership, sales, and transport of venomous snakes, little enforcement occurs, and intrastate sales are rarely covered. At this time, no formal, national surveillance system exists to collect systematically information on prevention, treatment, and outcome. There also is no national program to obtain data needed to develop and evaluate strategies to prevent exposure and envenomation.
All snakebites are potentially preventable.
We need to collect data on risk factors to enable development of effective primary prevention strategies, programs, and interventions. An Antivenom Index was produced by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums approximately 15 years ago by interested and concerned experts who frequently were consulted by physicians needing assistance in treating patients who were envenomated. Initially established to maintain information on venomous snakes and sources of anti-venom for institutional members of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, the index has proved useful to assist in management of snakebites throughout the United States. At this time the Antivenom Index is maintained through voluntary contribution and covers only those venomous snakes held in zoos. With the proliferation of exotic, venomous snakes in private hands, there is a need to expand the antivenom index into a comprehensive resource for the nation.