Health officials across southwestern Saskatchewan are becoming concerned with the recent presence of rattlesnakes.
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), sightings of the reptile have come in from Grasslands National Park, Leader, and Eston.
Dr. Angela Silveira, a physician specializing in public health and preventive medicine with the University of Saskatchewan, said one of the best preventative actions is knowing if you're in a rattlesnake habitat.
"While rattlesnakes are prevalent in the southwestern region of Saskatchewan, it's very crucial to exercise caution and to avoid accidental encounters or snake bite accidents," she said.
Other keys to avoiding an incident with the venomous creature while on hikes include wearing long pants and shoes that cover above the ankles. Using trails and pathways that are well travelled and that are clear of debris. And if travelling at nighttime use a well-lit flashlight.
"In these areas in the southwest, in our own properties, try to make sure that you keep your property and surroundings clean and free of debris that could easily serve as a hiding spot for a snake," said Dr. David Torr, the medical health officer for the southwest (four through six networks) and area department lead for public health and preventative medicine for integrated rural with the SHA.
"Make sure to keep a safe distance if you do see a snake don't go closer to it. For rattlesnakes they're known to make a sound, if you hear that sound, don't just run in any direction, try and see where that sound is coming from so that you don't run into the snake."
If bitten by a rattlesnake the best course of action is to call 911 immediately and head to the closest healthcare facility. Anti-venom will be required which is on-hand at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current.
"Depending on where the snake bite is, how much venom has been injected," he said. "If you're lucky, and that is not always the case, maybe no venom was injected but you should still observe and see if there's been any effect at the bite site."
Common affects from a rattlesnake bite include swelling, dying and damaged tissue, increased heart rate, headaches, and dizziness.
"Sometimes you might even get allergic reactions out of this with itching and swelling of the face or the throat or other parts of the body," he said. "Of course, being that it's a bite, you can also get a secondary infection or an infection from the bite itself."