• Six rattlesnake bite cases in Ventura County in less than a month
• Two deaths from snake bites in Southern California this year

Ventura County in California has reported six rattlesnake bite cases in under a month, representing one-third of all bites recorded in 2025.

Andrew Dowd, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, said paramedics responded to a call about a man bitten near California State University, Channel Islands.

The victim was taken to a hospital and received antivenom; his condition was reported as stable.

The county recorded nine rattlesnake bites in 2025.

This year, two people have died in Southern California due to snake bites. A 46-year-old woman died while hiking in Wildwood Regional Park on March 14.

Julian Hernandez, 25, also died after being bitten while cycling near Quail Hill on March 4.

Dowd noted that “this spring has been warmer than usual, and with heavy winter rains, snakes typically appear at this time of year while people are out enjoying hiking trails.”

In March, the state experienced an unusual heat wave with temperatures reaching 27–32°C (80–90°F), prompting snakes to emerge earlier, along with a rise in small rodents they feed on due to January and February rains.

Statewide, the California Poison Control System reported an increase in calls related to rattlesnake bites, logging 77 calls in the first three months of 2026, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Annual calls typically range between 200 and 300, peaking from April through October.

Dr. Jeffrey Suchard, an emergency physician and toxicology specialist at UCI Health, said, “Death from a rattlesnake bite is extremely rare,” while the CDC records 7,000–8,000 bites annually in the U.S., with only about five fatalities.

Dowd emphasized that the higher number of bites this year highlights “the importance of following basic safety measures while outdoors.”

He advised hikers to stay on marked trails, avoid tall grass, wear long boots and pants, and carry a fully charged phone and spare battery to call emergency services if needed.

He added, “If someone is bitten, it’s crucial to remain calm, limit movement to slow venom spread, and call emergency services immediately.”