The great snake escape

Containing threat

The snakes' escape terrorized the local populace, who for days were afraid to go out at night and constantly scanned their surroundings while cleaning.

In the wake of the snake escape, local authorities moved swiftly to contain the threat.

Under the coordination of Guangxi regional emergency headquarters, regional, municipal, and county-level health commissions implemented a multipronged response encompassing snakebite treatment, hazard checks, and public awareness campaigns.

Experts from across the region and Nanning were sent to assist with snakebite treatment in Hengzhou, and the local hospital's antivenom supply was increased. A special emergency green channel for snakebites was established to minimize treatment time.

Local health authorities also conducted training for front-line medical staff on wound cleaning, proper treatment protocols, rapid assessment and pre-hospital emergency responses.

Meanwhile, officials issued safety advisories through village broadcasts, WeChat groups, and door-to-door notifications, urging residents to avoid nighttime outings, steer clear of grassy areas, ditches, and flooded zones where snakes might hide, and take precautions both indoors and outdoors.

Wu Zhi from the Dengxu village committee told local media that more than 10 villagers from neighboring hamlets that were not affected by the flood had spontaneously formed a civilian snake-catching team.

They ventured into affected areas, going door-to-door to catch snakes and prevent further injuries.

According to Wu, the team members mainly used fishing tools and electrofishing equipment for their operations.

The village committee also issued notices, warning residents without professional skills not to catch snakes themselves and to report sightings to authorities.

Local media outlet "Huaxiang Yinxiang", a WeChat official account of the Hengzhou converged media center, published an emergency guide for snakebite prevention and treatment during the flood.

It warned that the lingering floodwaters had forced snakes like kraits, green pit vipers, and cobras to move into homes, stairwells, and corners, and advised against using incorrect first-aid methods like burning, cutting, or sucking venom from the wound.

The local forestry bureau mobilized its own snake catchers and volunteers, according to the Beijing News.

One local team of seven to eight people reportedly caught over 2,000 snakes in just two days, most of them non-venomous rat snakes. A team member surnamed Zhu said after the flood, snakes mostly hid in corners.