Cobra Bites, Critically Injures Florida Animal Sanctuary Worker

A spectacled cobra bit the hand of a worker at a Florida wildlife sanctuary when she was cleaning the snake cages Thursday morning, critically injuring her.

The woman, 37, was transported to Palms West Hospital in critical condition, after emergency officials received a call from McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary in Loxahatchee at about 5:45 a.m., Capt. Albert Borroto of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's venom unit went to West Palm Beach since they're the closest venom unit, officials said. Doctors from Jackson Memorial Hospital also went to help administer antivenin.
 
The sanctuary boasts of "the coolest collection of snakes around" on its website. Officials said the spectacled cobra that bit the woman is from India, and has been contained.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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