Utah hospital reports high number of snake bites

LOGAN, Utah – A northern Utah hospital is reporting an increase in snake sightings and bites this summer.

Officials at Logan Regional Hospital report they've seen six snake bite victims so far in 2011, including two within the past week. The hospital usually sees just one or two snake bites during an entire year.

Hospital spokeswoman Debbie Ostrander tells the Logan Herald Journal (http://bit.ly/op9kxk) that the numbers are highly unusual.

Two of the bites happened when victims tried to touch or capture the snakes. The others happened when victims were walking through bushes or climbing rocks and encountered the snakes.

Doctors say snake bite victims should seek medical help immediately. They also advise keeping the area with the bite below heart level to slow the spread of venom.