The fact that the antidote needed for illusionist Aref Ghafouri, who was poisoned by the cobra snake he was feeding, was found abroad brought the possible danger in Turkey to the agenda. "Aref's biggest problem is that he had this snake imported or brought from abroad. Therefore, wherever that snake came from, the antivenom is available in that region," Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk said, drawing attention to the underlying danger of bringing different snake species to our country. Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk stated that different snake species brought from various parts of the world were thrown into the sewers by their owners after a while and that this situation could lead to similar incidents.
Üsküdar University Vice Rector, Head of Molecular Biology and Genetics Department Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk gave important information about animals brought from abroad and poisoning cases.
The biggest problem is bringing snakes from abroad
"There are actually cobra snakes in Turkey. The species we call "desert snake", which is unique to us, exists especially in the Southeast region of Turkey; but of course, thanks to the systems we have developed against such poisonous snakes living in our own country, antivenoms are also produced normally." Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk said: "Aref's biggest problem is that this snake was brought or brought from abroad. Therefore, wherever that snake came from, wherever it lives naturally, the people in that region have the antidote. As far as I followed the news, it was said that this antidote was found in France. Developed countries produce this antivenom considering similar incidents, especially in countries where people go very intensively."
The severity of the snake bite is important
Stating that the reason why the cobra venom did not spread to Aref Ghafouri's body was the severity of the bite, Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk said, "This poison entered the body through capillaries or veins, the poison entered especially depending on the severity of the snake's bite. This is also related to how much the snake is afraid of the other party. The snake empties all the venom in its venom sac, either half of it or one third of it. I think its fear was not too much."
Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk said that the first intervention to Aref Ghafouri in the hospital was effective in his survival.
The great danger in pet shops!
Stating that especially the venom of cobra snakes causes death within 2 hours, Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk said, "The main thing is that we know how much venom the snake has emptied, so if it has emptied all the venom in the pouch, this is very life-threatening." Stating that this incident also brought up a hidden danger in our country, Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk said the following:
"With the proliferation of pet shops, many animals that do not belong to our country were brought to our country. Especially the current problem is that the snake does not belong to our country. Therefore, different snake species and different animals were brought to our country. This issue was also reflected in the press for a while; in order not to take care of the animals or because they were tired of them, they started to empty them into sewage wells or sewage drains. Maybe this will be one of the other problems that await us in the coming period. In other words, snake species brought from other countries, we do not have antidotes, animals without antidotes may enter some houses with the sewage system in the future. Very important problems may arise there."
We have antidote against all poisonous snakes living in our country
Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk stated that antivenom has been produced against all venomous snakes living in Turkey and said, "Two of the venomous snakes living on the territory of our country or living in nearby regions are very poisonous for us. The venom of the other 10 is not so severe, that is, we should not talk about the level of venom that would pose a life-threatening danger, but two of them are really poisonous. Regardless of whether they are more or less poisonous, I think that as of today, our country has produced its own antidotes and antivenoms against all poisonous snakes living in our country. There is no problem with these, it is already very possible to reach these antidotes in our health institutions, as long as the poison is drained immediately as soon as the bite occurs and it is urgently brought to the health institution."
Snake poisoning has two different effects
Stating that snake poisoning has two different effects, Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk said, "One of them ensures the breakdown of our red blood cells that give our blood its red color, especially in our blood vessels. It has such an effect; already the bruising and blood around that bite is its biggest sign. Secondly, snake venom paralyzes the respiratory center in our central nervous system, especially in our brain. After this center is paralyzed, if people die after a snake bite, they die because they cannot breathe. Since the respiratory center is paralyzed, this reflex, that is, breathing stops and death occurs accordingly. If there is very severe pain, throbbing, bruising and bleeding, especially in the bite area, even if it is not possible to evacuate it immediately, that area should be strangled and it should be prevented from mixing into the blood at once so that it is not too tight."