Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Snake bite warning issued to walkers

Emily Beament
Wednesday 23 May 2012 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Walkers have been warned to leave snakes in the countryside alone after dozens of incidents of bites caused by people picking up venomous adders. People sought advice over adder bites 196 times between 2009 and 2011, figures from the Health Protection Agency's National Poisons Information Service showed.

In around half the cases, a person had picked up an adder, the only venomous snake living wild in England, Scotland and Wales.

When adder bites deliver venom, it can cause localised pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising which can spread.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in