Baja California Sur’s Health Secretariat (Secretaría de Salud) has denied social media claims that state hospitals are running out of antivenom for venomous snake and spider bites. Officials confirmed that hospitals operated by IMSS Bienestar, including the Hospital General Juan María de Salvatierra in La Paz, are fully stocked with fabotherapeutics, the specialized antivenom products used to treat envenomation.
As proof, health authorities pointed to the successful treatment of a 25-year-old man who was bitten by a rattlesnake on March 29. The patient received antivenom at a state hospital and recovered, officials said.
Early Rattlesnake Season Raises Risk for Outdoor Visitors
The denial comes with a timely warning for anyone planning to spend time outdoors during Semana Santa, the Easter holiday week that draws large crowds to beaches, trails, and desert campsites across BCS. Health authorities said an unusually warm March has pushed rattlesnake activity earlier than normal this year. Snakes that would typically remain dormant into April are already active in areas frequented by hikers, campers, and beachgoers.
Rattlesnakes are common across the Baja California peninsula, particularly in rocky desert terrain, arroyos, and scrubland near coastal areas. Several species of rattlesnake are native to BCS, including the Baja California rattlesnake (Crotalus enyo) and the red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber).
What To Know About Snakebite Treatment in BCS
Fabotherapeutics, the antivenom products stocked by IMSS Bienestar hospitals, are manufactured in Mexico specifically to treat bites from regional pit viper and spider species. In Mexico, these products are available through the public hospital system at no cost to patients. By contrast, antivenom treatment in the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars per hospital visit.
IMSS Bienestar is the federal health system that provides care to people without employer-based insurance. It operates hospitals and clinics throughout BCS, including facilities in La Paz, Los Cabos, and smaller communities.
Health officials urged people spending time outdoors during the holiday week to wear closed-toe shoes, watch where they step and place their hands, and avoid reaching into rock crevices or brush piles. Anyone bitten by a snake should seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital rather than attempting home treatment.
The statement was first reported by BCS Noticias.