"Chris Gifford felt a fang sink into his skin and thought, 'I'm going to die.' He realized he needed to start a timer immediately."
"The best way to treat life-threatening snakebites is with antivenom made using venom of the same species, which is crucial for survival."
"The Antivenom Index connects Americans bitten by venomous exotic pets with zoos that can provide the necessary antivenom for treatment."
"The process of creating antivenom involves extracting venom from snakes, injecting it into animals to develop antibodies, and transforming it into a treatment."
In 2021, Chris Gifford was bitten by a western green mamba while cleaning snake enclosures. Realizing the severity of the bite, he understood he needed antivenom urgently. The Antivenom Index, a directory connecting snakebite victims with zoos, plays a crucial role in providing life-saving antivenom. The process of creating antivenom involves extracting venom from snakes, injecting it into animals to develop antibodies, and transforming it into a treatment for humans. Gifford's survival depended on this vital resource located hundreds of miles away.
Read at WIRED
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