BITE OF A SEA-SNAKE (HYDROPHIS-SPIRALIS) - A CASE-REPORT FROM SRI-LANKA

A rare case of sea-snake bite resulting in envenoming is reported. Com parison is made with clinical features of sea-snake envenoming as desc ribed in the literature. Some of the unusual features observed in our patient were the occurrence of pain at the site of the bite, regional lymph node enlargement and absence of muscle pain and tenderness. Poly valent land-snake antivenom was used in the management of this patient since specific antivenom against sea-snake envenoming is not availabl e in Sri Lanka. There was some improvement in neurological signs after the start of antivenom treatment. This is the first authenticated cas e of sea-snake envenoming in Sri Lanka.