Venomous Snake Bite In North Jersey Sends Man To Hospital

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — As a New York City man bicycled through the Palisades Cliffs in North Jersey earlier this month, he spotted a small snake on the trail.

He figured he'd protect the creature by nudging it out of the way.

"He'd seen snakes flattened by bikes and cars there before, and he didn't want this one to meet the same fate," said a spokesperson for Hackensack hospital in Bergen County, the place where Dan Geiger landed — after the snake thanked him with its fangs.

Geiger didn't realize the snake was a venomous copperhead. So he tried to nudge the reptile with his water bottle, the hospital said.

He then made a "split-second decision" that he says he now regrets. He reached toward the copperhead with his hand.

That's when the reptile bit his finger.

A Ride To The Hospital

After two nearby walkers called 911, Geiger was taken by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center, which has a medical toxicology program and carries antivenom, the hospital said. Many hospitals don't carry it, a spokesperson noted.

"It's expensive, has a limited shelf life, and venomous snakebites are relatively rare in this region," the hospital explained.

Even the Emergency Room staff was surprised to learn a snake bite victim was en route, the hospital said.

Copperhead venom is rarely fatal, but can "cause significant damage to the affected limb," the spokesperson said. "It contains toxins that break down tissue, causing intense pain, swelling, blistering, and even tissue death. The venom also disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding and further complications. The longer the venom circulates, the more widespread the damage."

First Time

The hospital said they'd never handled a copperhead bite, but had dealt with other snake bites.

According to Rutgers, copperheads are one of two kinds of venomous snakes that can be found in New Jersey. They are mostly found west of the Palisades area.

"They occur only in parts of the Piedmont, Highlands, and Ridge-and-Valley regions, from the Sourlands of Mercer, Somerset, and Hunterdon counties, north to the Delaware Water Gap in Sussex County, and east to the Palisades of Bergen County," the University notes. "Copperhead dens, also called hibernacula, are typically associated with hilly and rocky terrain."

Anti-venom is the only effective treatment for the venom, the hospital said.

“HUMC's dedicated toxicology team, their coordinated response, and the readiness of the anti-venom provide a critical safety net for the community in the face of unique cases, such as Dan's," said Dr. Gregory Sugalski, the interim chair of emergency medicine at the hospital.

Dr. Daria Falkowitz, the director of the Division of Toxicology, and Khizer Rizvi, an attending physician/toxicologist, cared for Geiger, collaborating with toxicologist Dr. Joseph Zambratto and clinical pharmacist Gabrielle Procopio

Geiger was in the hospital for two nights starting on May 17, which was a Saturday — then went home to nurse his hand for a week in order to let the swelling subside before going back to work.

Advice

According to the state of New Jersey, the timber rattlesnake is the other type of venomous snake found in New Jersey. The state also has 20 non-venomous snakes.

Copperheads usually hide and stay away from humans, Rutgers said, but will strike when they feel threatened.

Hackensack's spokesperson noted that with more people enjoying the outdoors this spring and summer, they should be cautious around wildlife.

"Admire from a distance," they suggested.