Warm, Dry Weather Bringing Out More Rattlesnakes; 2 Children Bitten
PITTSBURG, Calif. (AP) - Officials say a 2-year-old girl was bitten by a rattlesnake in suburban San Francisco Tuesday night.
KNTV reports Wednesday that the girl was in the backyard of her home in a community east of San Francisco about 8 p.m. when the attack occurred.
Contra Costa Fire Battalion Chief Josh Andrews says crews found the snake nearby.
Officials say the toddler was treated on scene and then transported by medical helicopter to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, California. The child's condition was not immediately available Wednesday morning.
Earlier this month, a 4-year-old boy near Sacramento was also bitten on the ankle by a rattlesnake. His mother, who is nine months pregnant, tried to suck the venom from the wound. The boy is recovering.
The mother posted a public message on Facebook warning others about the high number of rattlesnakes.
"We have seen soooo many rattle snakes in our area recently, but never thought this nightmare would happen to us. Please, keep kids and pets (and yourselves) safe and really be aware when walking/biking/playing outside. Also, don't suck venom out. My Mama Bear instincts kicked in and I did this...bad. Thank God I (and my unborn son) did not get affected. Our son is healing and we are soooo lucky/blessed to have gotten through this (oh, and I'm 9 months pregnant...geez). Be careful!!!"
Rattlesnake sightings are up, largely due to the warm, dry weather that has gripped much of the West.