Brown Snake Alert Issued in Melbourne

It looks like I will need to be extra careful when out and about in the bush:

A man in his 40s has become the third snake-bite victim in three days in Melbourne’s south-east after he was bitten by a suspected brown snake at his Dandenong South home last night.

The latest encounter has prompted a warning to people to be extra aware of snakes as thousands plan camping trips and outdoor activities this long weekend.

"We want people to enjoy the outdoors this long weekend but be aware that despite some cooler conditions snakes are still very active,” said Metropolitan Ambulance Service spokesman Phil Cullen. 

Mr Cullen said the Dandenong South man was bitten on a leg about 11.40pm yesterday and taken to the Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition.

The brown snake is the world’s second most poisonous snake and is quite common in Australia.  All the Aussies say the brown snake bites people only when threatened and snake bites a relatively rare.  Fortunately I haven’t ran into one yet and I hope I don’t any time soon.