What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Amazonian Aquatic Coral Snake Bite
• Micrurus Surinamensis Snake Bite
• Suriname Coral Snake Bite

What is Aquatic Coral Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The aquatic coral snake (Micrurus surinamensis) is a moderately venomous snake found in South America in the nations of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. The snake belongs to the Elapidae family that generally includes slender and swift moving snakes, of genus coral snakes (Micrurus) that form a large group of elegant and ‘mostly’ brightly colored and banded venomous reptiles. There are several subspecies of Micrurus surinamensis
• The body of the snake is stout and heavy, and it has a small, rounded head and blunt snout. The head and neck of the snake are almost continuous (same size). The snake’s body is typically cylindrical and uniform in size; it has a short tapering tail. The tail does not mimic the head, such as noted in some other coral snake species
• Like many colorful and glossy coral snakes, the aquatic coral snake is characterized by a red head with black scales. The snake pattern consists of broad red bands separated by triads of three black and two white/cream rings. The snake’s tail may have alternating black and white bands. The snake can range in size from about 2.5 feet to nearly 4.5 feet in length; there are some reports of 6 feet long snakes too
• The aquatic coral snake is an excellent swimmer that exclusively feeds on fish and swamp eels, typically during the night. The snake is found in lower montane wet forest and tropical rainforest, around waterbodies. It can stay submerged for extended periods. The snake may be seen in altitudes of up to 2,000 feet (600 m)
• Generally, coral snakes are solitary and shy creatures that tend to silently move away when disturbed. Aquatic Coral Snake Bites that may occur under water or close to waterbodies, can rarely result in fatalities due to systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite) in the absence of treatment. The potent myotoxic-neurotoxic venom released can cause systemic effects including significant muscle damage and respiratory distress
• The signs and symptoms of Aquatic Coral Snake Bite may include mild local effects at the bite site, such as pain and swelling. As various body systems gets rapidly affected by the venom, it can result in widespread symptoms including convulsions, dizziness, flaccid paralysis, and kidney failure
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include pain medication, intravenous fluid administration, respiratory support, and peritoneal dialysis, as needed. The prognosis of Aquatic Coral Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good, but deaths have been reported without adequate treatment