An Epidemiological Study of the Occurrence of Habu Snake Bite on the Amami Islands, Japan

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to estimate the risk of habu snake bite on the Amami Islands in relation to meteorological and human behavioural factors. A time-series analysis of the seasonal variation of habu snake bite was also carried out in order to clarify the possible mechanism of the epidemiological features of habu bite. It was found that the risk of habu bite has been decreasing over a long period of time on both the islands of Amamioshima and Tokunoshima. In general, the risk is higher on Tokunoshima for males and on Amamioshima it is higher for females. There was a significant positive correlation between risk and time spent in the sugar cane fields. Analysis of annual cumulative risk revealed that the inhabitants of Tokunoshima were more likely to be bitten by the habu than those of Amamioshima. The probable explanation for this was the difference between the two islands in the size of cultivated area or the proportion of the labour force engaged in primary industry. Seasonal variation of habu bite showed a maximum occurrence in June. This seasonality was probably caused by the effects of climate on the activities of both humans and habu snakes. Meteorological conditions were investigated by multiple regression analysis for causal effects on the seasonal variation in the occurrence of habu bite; as a result, temperature and humidity were presumed to have an important influence. These facts supplied the most probable explanation for the highest incidence of habu bite being in June rather than in August--the hottest season--on the Amami Islands.

Effects of exotic mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) on the native fauna of Amami-Oshima Island, southern Japan, estimated by distribution patterns along the historical gradient of mongoose invasion

“…In 1979, 30 mongoose were introduced to Amami-Oshima Island (hereafter Amami Island), southwestern Japan, to control a native poisonous pit viper, habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis), which was a threat to local people (Tomari 1987;Sawai et al 1999). Although the mongoose's ability to control habu is equivocal, mongoose is now established in forest that harbors a number of endemic species and subspecies and the population in 1999 was estimated to be 5,000-10,000 (Ishii 2003).…”

Venomous Snake Bites in Japan

“…Human-inhabited areas are located between 24°N and 46°N, which ranges from a subtropical zone to a temperate zone. Mamushi ( Gloydius blomhoffii ) 5,6 and habu ( Protobothrops flavoviridis ) [7][8][9] are two of the major venomous snakes in Japan; both belong to the sub-family Crotalinae (pit vipers). Mamushi bites occur in areas between 30°N and 46°N.…”

Acute Kidney Injury and Rhabdomyolysis After Protobothrops flavoviridis Bite: A Retrospective Survey of 86 Patients in a Tertiary Care Center

“…6,22 Year-by-year improvement of those social factors may have also improved the prognosis of P. flavoviridis bite victims. 9,12 The use of antivenom serum was especially effective in reducing the fatality rate. 5,23 On the other hand, in our study, the bite-to-needle time for the administration of antivenom serum did not differ significantly between patients who developed AKI and patients who did not.…”

“…7 These complications are prone to cause AKI, which is the main organ damage observed after Viperidae bites. There were epidemiological studies about snakebites on Amami Ohshima islands, [8][9][10] but there have been no large studies of the temporal development of AKI caused by P. flavoviridis venom.…”