Around 8 p.m. on September 15, a terrifying incident shook a family in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey Province. A newborn baby boy, just 13 days old, was resting indoors when a green pit viper bit him on the head. The bite swelled up instantly and began bleeding continuously. Venom from this species breaks down the body's blood-clotting system, and without fast access to antivenom, a bite can easily turn fatal.
Terrified, the family rushed the baby to Jayavarman VII Hospital (Kantha Bopha VII) the following day. Medical teams didn't waste a second, immediately admitting the infant to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Doctors administered six doses of antivenom and kept the baby under constant emergency watch. By Friday, his condition had stabilized, his vitals returned to healthy levels, and he was safely discharged to go home with his family.
Across the region, dense grass and traditional wooden homes with open gaps make it easy for snakes and pests to crawl indoors during the wet season. On rainy nights, it pays to shine a flashlight into dark corners and under furniture. That this little boy pulled through is a true blessing, but it is also a reminder for everyone living in the area to stay vigilant and keep their homes safe from snakes.
