Marmor boy bitten by snake, taken to Rockhampton Hospital

A primary school aged boy became the third Central Queensland person bitten by a snake this weekend when he was rushed to hospital with a “life threatening” bite on Sunday morning.

A young boy was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition on Sunday morning after being bitten by a snake in Central Queensland.

A young boy has been released from hospital after he was taken there in a life-threatening condition on Sunday morning following a snake bike in Central Queensland.

He was the third person in CQ to be rushed to hospital at the weekend.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the young boy was bitten by a snake at a private address on Old Coach Road, Marmor, at 9.32am Sunday and was transported in a “life-threatening” condition to Rockhampton Hospital.

A QAS spokesman said the boy was a primary school aged child.

He was discharged on Sunday.

Everything you need to know about snake season in Qld

QAS also took a man aged in his 30s to Rockhampton Hospital in a stable condition after he was being bitten by a snake at a property on Lakes Creek Road, Koongal, on Friday night.

They were called 7.51pm.

In the third incident, a man aged in his 40s was taken to Moura Hospital after being bitten by a snake at Warnoah in the Banana Shire on Saturday.

He was taken from a property near the Dawson Highway and Bears Lagoon Road intersection.

Health authorities have urged the public to stay alert for snake activity following the sharp rise in snake bites.

The mother of 16-year-old Beau Horan, who passed away after a snake bite in November, has spoken out about their first Christmas without him. Picture: Supplied

Gladstone teen Beau Horan died after he was bitten by a snake last year.

Beau, 16, was bitten on the foot by a brown snake on November 25 at his family home in Wurdong Heights, south of Gladstone.

Emergency department presentations for snake bites rose by 15 per cent last year compared to 2023 figures, going from 1,094 presentations in 2023 to 1,257 in 2024.

In December 2024 alone, Queensland’s public hospital emergency departments recorded 160 presentations related to snake bites, representing the highest number recorded in a single month for all of 2024.

This trend began early in 2024, with 159 presentations in January and 155 in February - a 35 per cent increase on the same months in 2023.

Queensland summers always bring increased snake activity and resulting spikes in hospital visits. In 2024, the summer peak was larger and persisted longer than in the previous year, lasting into May before the usual winter decline.

Among hospital and health services (HHSs), West Moreton, Metro South, Central Queensland and Cairns and Hinterland HHSs typically report the highest number of snake bite presentations. More than 200 snake bite cases present at each of these HHSs each year.

Queensland is home to around 120 species of snakes, many of which possess venom, and some of which are very dangerous to humans and pets if bitten. The most dangerous snakes include brown snakes, taipans, red-bellied black snakes, death adders, and tiger snakes.

Caboolture Hospital Clinical Toxicologist Dr Emma Maguire emphasised that avoiding snake bites is key to remaining safe.

“If you’re in an area where snakes might be found, it’s important not to surprise them - make some noise, and watch where you step or put your hands,” she said.

“Be sure to wear protective clothing such as boots and jeans.

“Don’t approach a snake. Leave it alone and call a professional snake catcher.

“Snakes will feel threatened if you try and move them and may bite.”

Dr Maguire warned that some of the most dangerous snake bites can cause very little pain at the bite site, in particular, this is seen with brown snake bites.

“This can make it easy for people to underestimate the seriousness of the injury.

“Even if the bite doesn’t hurt, it’s crucial to seek immediate help, as snake venom can have life-threatening effects.

“If you’re bitten by a snake, stay calm - and call an ambulance immediately.

“If a limb has been bitten, apply a firm bandage over the entire limb, and immobilise it.

“Avoid moving around or running as this will increase venom spread – just sit somewhere safe and wait for help to arrive.

“Do not try to catch the snake or bring it to the emergency department.

“We can still treat you effectively without definitively identifying the exact snake species.”

Envenomed patients may feel generally unwell with a bad headache, abdominal pain, muscle weakness or blurred vision. They may faint or in some cases they may feel no symptoms at all.

Sometimes an envenomed patient may collapse – and if the person is unresponsive or not breathing, they may need CPR.

Dr Maguire said when an envenomed patient is treated in the emergency department, doctors typically work with toxicology specialists from the Queensland Poisons Information Centre.

“We will recommend antivenom treatment based on the geographical location where the bite occurred, and the clinical features of envenomation,” she said.

“Antivenom works to stop the progression of the venom – so the earlier we give it to the patient the better.

“It works best when given within six hours of the snakebite but is still beneficial and given later in some situations.

“If you are seriously envenomed, you may be in hospital for several days and occasionally even longer, particularly if you need treatment for complications like muscle breakdown, nerve weakness, or kidney damage.”

In south-east Queensland, the most common snake antivenoms used are for brown and tiger snakes. Outside of this geographical area, the range of snakes is much larger, particularly with the presence of taipans, and so polyvalent antivenom is usually given.