Two men hospitalized after been bitten by viper in south Cyprus

Two elderly men are being treated in the Nicosia and Limassol general hospitals in south Cyprus after they were bitten by vipers.

Warning the public of the poisonous snake on Saturday, state health services (Okypy) urged citizens to immediately leave the area if they come across a viper.

In the first incident, a 74-year-old man from Nicosia was bitten by a viper in a field in the Limassol district on April 22. He was treated at the emergency department of the Limassol general hospital, where he received after being an anti-retroviral therapy and stayed in the ICU for one day before being admitted to a ward.

Doctors said he has since recovered and would be discharged soon.

The second incident also occurred in a Limassol area, when an 80-year-old Limassol man was bitten by the snake while picking capers in a village.

He too received treatment at the Limassol general hospital and was transferred to the ICU of Nicosia general hospital after being administered anti-viral therapy. According to doctors, his condition is stable.

Cyprus is home to eight snake species, three of which are venomous, but only one of them, the blunt-nosed viper, poses a threat to humans. Typically, the vipers do not attack unless touched or stepped on.

The snakes are most active in April and May after coming out of hibernation to look for food and mating partners, and in September and October when they have to eat before they hibernate.

In summer, the animals are rarely seen as they avoid activity due to the heat.