Fatal snakebite in Australia.

More than 20 venomous snakes found in Australia belong to the family Elapidae . Although their venom delivery system is less efficient than that of the Viperidae , their venoms are extremely potent. The active components of Australian elapid venoms include neurotoxins, myotoxins , hemolysins, and factors producing hypocoagulability. The groups at particular risk of snakebite are children, agricultural workers, bushwalkers , and herpetologists . A high index of suspicion must be maintained when investigating cases of sudden unexpected death in these groups. The bite wound itself may be particularly easily overlooked as there is little local reaction to many elapid bites. The necropsy findings in fatalities are predictable from the known properties of the venoms of the various species. However, these findings are non-specific and the diagnosis ultimately rests upon the demonstration of the presence of venom by immunoassay. For this purpose swabs from the bite site, the overlying clothing, the excised bite site, the local and regional lymph nodes, urine, and blood may be used.