Australian Venom Research Unit

18/09/2023

Today is International Snakebite Awareness Day.

Australia is home to some world renown venomous snakes, but thankfully our life-saving antivenoms help ensure that the impact of snakebite in Australia remains incredibly low.

Papua New Guinea shares a number of our venomous snakes, including taipans and death adders. The great news is that this means Australian antivenoms are just as effective in PNG where there are significantly more bites. The AVRU team is phenomenally proud to have helped lead the work of the PNG Snakebite Partnership to deliver Australian antivenoms donated by CSL Seqirus across PNG since 2018. More than 700 lives saved to date and counting.

Great news from the Kupiano Health Centre in Central Province - the availability of antivenoms has increased survival of snakebites.
Over 700 people from across PNG have recovered from snakebite thanks to antivenom available via the PNG Snakebite Partnership Project.

Central Province in PNG has one of the highest rates of snakebite in the world. Mr. Vanua Wafa, a dedicated Health Care Worker at Kupiano, has seen the PNG Snakebite Partnership Project’s positive impact on the people in his community – particularly following training and provision of antivenoms .

Mr Wafa said that before the PNG Snakebite Partnership Project , people relied on traditional methods and home remedies to treat snake bites – including from venomous snakes such as the Papuan Taipan. People had to travel long distances to access antivenom resulting in unnecessary deaths from snakebites.

“It's important people go to a Health Centre as soon as possible if they are bitten by a snake or venomous marine animal” said Vanua – who is pleased he can now access and administer these lifesaving antivenoms to snakebite patients.

This successful partnership between the PNG Department of Health, University of PNG, Seqirus Ltd (Australia’s sole manufacturer of antivenom for humans), the University of Melbourne, and the Australian Government has made vital lifesaving anti venom accessible across PNG.

14/12/2022

AVRU co-heads Dr Timothy Jackson and Dr Andrew Watt joined The Conversation Hour yesterday to talk all things Australian venomous snakes. Have a listen here:

What do you know about snakes in your local area? Do you know what to do if you see one? How many myths do we believe? And how much do we know about the science behind venom?

19/11/2022

We're proud to partner with CSL Seqirus and others to promote the first national Venomous Bites and Stings Day to celebrate Australia’s unique and diverse wildlife and raises awareness of first aid practices for bites and stings.

Venomous Bites and Stings Day a timely reminder

24/03/2022

AVRU's Dr Timothy Jackson collaborated with Veritasium on their latest YouTube video. It's an extremely well-produced video including some awesome footage of the Australian Reptile Park's Zac Bower in his element. Check it out!

This video is sponsored by Brilliant. The first 200 people to sign up via https://brilliant.org/veritasium get 20% off a yearly subscription. To make antiven...

01/10/2021

AVRU's Dr Timothy Jackson writes about what snakes are getting up to now that the sun's shining again.

Whether you’re hoping to maximise your chances of seeing one of these shy, fascinating critters or wanting to avoid them at all costs, this article is for you.

18/09/2021

Today is International Snakebite Awareness Day.

So what better day to announce the 2-year extension to our lifesaving work in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

PNG has one of the highest snakebite rates in the world.

500+ lives were saved over the last 3 years by providing better access to antivenoms through the PNG Snakebite Partnership.

Seqirus, a CSL company, is committed to supporting Australia’s neighbour in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to help address one of the highest rates of snakebite deat...

30/08/2021

Decoding Danger is a new series examining threatening processes in Australia - wildlife, extreme weather, and bushfire. Episode 1 premieres on the ABC on Tuesday 31st August at 930PM and features AVRU's Dr Timothy Jackson discussing snakes.

Photo - Melbournian tiger snake, by Matt Clancy

28/04/2021

Australia has some of the most venomous creatures in the world and Seqirus are Australia's only antivenom manufacturer for humans. The AVRU team is proud to partner with Seqirus, both to test their antivenoms and to distribute them where they're needed most across Papua New Guinea.

This documentary provides an opportunity to discover how these essential medicines are made so that they're available when they're needed most.

Australia is home to some of the world’s most venomous creatures such as snakes, spiders and jellyfish. Seqirus, a CSL Company, is the world’s sole producer ...

12/01/2021

AVRU's Dr Timothy Jackson recently had a chat about snakes with Sirine Demachkie on ABC Weekend Evenings (skip to the 1hr mark, directly after the news, to listen):

Evenings across Australia

14/12/2020

Australia's home to some of the world's best beaches, but it's also home to stone fish and jellyfish.

You can use the free Australian Bites & Stings app to check if there's any venomous marine creatures in your area and brush up on your first aid while you're there!

App freely available from: https://www.seqirus.com.au/expertise/antivenom-and-q-fever-vaccines/australian-bites-and-stings?utm_source=social&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=Bites_Stings

14/12/2020

Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) is the go to first aid for venomous bites from snakes, funnel-web & red back spiders, and blue ringed octopus, and cone snail stings.

You can learn how to apply PIT using the free Australian Bites & Stings app that we developed in partnership with Seqirus: https://www.seqirus.com.au/expertise/antivenom-and-q-fever-vaccines/australian-bites-and-stings?utm_source=social&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=Bites_Stings

13/12/2020

This summer, you'll have more reasons than ever to explore our Australian backyard. These adventures will bring you closer to nature, but they may also bring you closer to some of Australia’s unique and venomous creatures.

To help you enjoy our beautiful country safely we've partnered with Seqirus and others to update the free Australian Bites and Stings app. The app provides you with expert advice on how best to avoid venomous interactions in the bush, on the beach and everywhere in between. It also provides information about what venomous creatures you may come across and first aid instructions should a venomous bite or sting occur.

So download the app, chuck a bandage in your bag, and enjoy a safe summer in our beautiful backyard!

A free smartphone app – Australian Bites & Stings: First Aid Guide to Australian Venomous Creatures – which hosts up-to-date first aid information is now available.