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February 13, 2012
Vipers bite bad golfers
Published: 17 Jul 10 12:52 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/27846/20100717/
An unusually high number of Swedish golfers have reported being bitten by vipers while handling their balls in the rough.
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With temperatures soaring over the last ten days, the health board has seen a 47 percent increase compared to the same period last year in the number of phone calls from members of the public concerned about various forms of bites and stings.
Misfiring golfers are among the groups most vulnerable to attack, with many reporting being bitten by vipers as they reached for balls in rough grass or bushes.
“It’s a good idea to stamp on the ground a bit more and look for the ball with the aid of the club rather than using your hands,” said Stockholm nurse Ingrid Sandholm.
She advised anyone who has been bitten by a viper to seek immediate medical attention since it is impossible to predict how the body will react to the snake’s venom.
The health board has also received a large number of calls relating to wasp stings, tick bites and mosquito bites, with many of the calls coming from the concerned parents of small children.
“Parents usually know what they’re supposed to do but they call to make sure they’ve done the right thing. It’s a very good idea to get in touch with us if you’re not sure,” said Sandholm.
The nurse believed the upsurge in calls stemmed from the fact that insects were thriving in the warm weather as well as being naturally drawn to bare, sweaty bodies.
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TheLocal is using a little tongue in cheek humor, beats the crap out of the bad spellings and grammar that is usually on here...
Vipers are quite common in sweden, but that is the only poisonous snake in the country and do dont cause death unless you are really allergic and dont receive medical treatment.
And The local, you better shape up, or I will handle your balls in a rough way. Or stamp on them! ;)
A small child can stamp her/his feet but to stomp something you need much more power or big boots.
I walked home and noticed some wasps starting to make a nest almost in front of the door the the apartment I live in. YIKES! I am allergic to wasps/bees I think. The last time I was stung my whole leg swelled up.
I hate to have the poor living things killed but I am really afraid of them and being bitten.
If vipers do exists in Sweden, I bet they are as harmless as the worms else the golfers will never be able to tell their long tales.
the hugorm is not really so dangerous just painful as pointed out earlier!
not pleasant to mess with by any means.
and yes Stomp is a silly yanky word! (swedes do tend to speak Yanky english and not the Queens style due to TV shows, more Aussie ones needed me thinks or even kiwi ones)
I was trying to make people aware of how snakes can use vibration as a sense. Provinding extra information like you have helps people from being biten.
Always take care near snakes. Unless you are a snake expert, err on the side it could be vemonous
summer
July
Sweden
total mental shutdown!