THE Swedes are Europe's leading victims of adder bites, beating the Swiss and British, according to a survey conducted by Scottish Natural Heritage. The study estimates that 77 000 people have been bitten by adders in Europe in the past 125 years. A total of 95 died.
Of these, 44 deaths were in Sweden, 25 in Switzerland 14 in Britain and 7 in Denmark. But there have been no reported deaths in Britain for 20 years. In two-thirds of cases, there are no symptoms apart from vomiting and localised swelling.
A detailed analysis of Scottish victims showed that adders preferred young males, aged 6 to 21, who suffered 58 per cent of bites. Only 12 per cent of the victims were female.
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