A 3-year-old California girl was bitten by a Southern Pacific rattlesnake that had been concealed beneath an Amazon package left outside her home, an incident that underscores a recent increase in rattlesnake encounters across the state. The child spent two days in a pediatric intensive care unit receiving antivenom for the venomous bite.
The girl, identified as Addy, was reaching for the package when the snake, hidden underneath, bit her hand. Her mother immediately sought medical attention, and the child was transported to a local hospital before being transferred to a PICU. While she is recovering, she still has bruising on her hand.
Wildlife experts attribute the rise in rattlesnake activity this year to an unusually warm spring, which has led to snakes emerging earlier than normal. This has contributed to a notable increase in snakebite incidents throughout California. Officials have reported three snakebite fatalities statewide this year.
This incident is one of several serious encounters in California in recent months. In May, a hiker in Ventura County was airlifted to a hospital after a rattlesnake bite. In March, a woman died after being bitten while hiking in Wildwood Regional Park.
Health officials advise anyone bitten by a venomous snake to seek immediate emergency medical care. They recommend remaining as still as possible and avoiding home remedies, which can exacerbate the injury. The family of the 3-year-old girl has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with her medical expenses and lost income during her recovery.