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

• Black Desert Cobra Snake Bite
• Sinai Desert Cobra Snake Bite
• Walterinnesia Aegyptia Snake Bite

What is Western Black Desert Cobra Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The western black desert cobra (Walterinnesia aegyptia) is a venomous snake found in many countries of the Middle East and some of North Africa including Israel, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. The snake belongs to the Elapidae family that generally includes slender and swift moving snakes. It is found at altitudes of up to 3,300 feet (1,000 m). The snake usually grow to over 1.5 feet in length, while some adults reach nearly 4.5 feet
• The body of the snake is cylindrical and somewhat heavy with a short, slightly pointed tail. Its head is short, broad, depressed, and slightly distinct from its neck. The snake has a broad snout with a sharply-defined ridge between the top and sides of the head. Unlike other cobras, the hood of this snake is not very prominent. The western black desert cobra has a glossy body with uniform black color that is tinged brown in some specimens. The underbelly of the snake is usually pale black
• The snake is terrestrial and mostly hunts lizards (agamids, skinks, and geckos), toads, other snakes, rodents (mice), and birds; it may even consume dead animals. It prefers to hunt during nights (nocturnal). The snake is known to hold on and constrict its prey after biting; venom injection is thought to occur during chewing motion of the reptile
• The desert cobra inhabits open sandy and rocky desert terrain (and not sand dunes), typically around the fringes. Generally, it does not hide below the ground in burrows and holes. The snake is found on sparsely vegetated rocky hillsides too. In search of prey, the snake may enter farmlands, irrigated fields, gardens, and residences
• Contact with humans may occur within the endemic regions, and Western Black Desert Cobra Snake Bites are not uncommon. The snake is not described as being very aggressive; it often tries to flee when confronted. If provoked, the snake can make hissing sounds and extend its body a few feet while striking. The expanded hood display observed in other cobras is less seen with the western black desert cobra
• Western Black Desert Cobra Snake Bites can result in fatalities from systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite), if the condition is left untreated. The rate of envenoming and untreated mortality rates are presently unknown. The venom is believed to contain highly potent neurotoxins (and mild hemotoxins per some literature)
• Significant symptoms, such as low blood pressure, severe tissue necrosis, flaccid paralysis, and respiratory distress, may be noted. The signs and symptoms may include mild local pain, swelling, and blistering at the bite site, which may progress to headache, sweating, persistent vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, seizures, dizziness, and collapse
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment that may include pain medication, wound care, intravenous fluid administration, and respiratory support may be necessary. The prognosis of Western Black Desert Cobra Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; but without appropriate treatment, the condition can result in fatalities