Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) recently saved the life of an 18-year-old woman airlifted in critical condition after a venomous snakebite in the Jordan Valley. The snake was misidentified as harmless by AI platforms.
A group of young women was enjoying an evening outing in the Jordan Valley. After discovering a snake curled among bushes near their outdoor gathering, they photographed it and uploaded the images to several artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, all of which identified it as a harmless species. Believing the snake to be non-venomous, 18-year-old Yael* approached it multiple times, as it repeatedly uncoiled and recoiled; her goal was to relocate it so that others would not accidentally step on it in the dark.
Yael felt a sting in a third finger
However, during her final attempt to move the snake, as she lifted it gently with two fingers, Yael felt a sting in a third finger. She had been bitten.
Within minutes, Yael developed rapidly progressing symptoms. Paralysis spread from her fingers up her arm, accompanied by severe weakness, repeated vomiting, and increasing difficulty breathing.
The emergency was further complicated by the group’s location in an area without cellular reception, preventing an immediate call for help. By chance, a passerby on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) encountered the group and alerted emergency responders. A Magen David Adom (MDA) team was dispatched, and a helicopter launched to evacuate the patient.
One hour after the bite, Yael arrived at Rambam in critical condition
Approximately one hour after the bite, Yael arrived at Rambam in critical condition. The team at Rambam’s Green-Wagner Department of Emergency Medicine began immediate treatment to stabilise her condition, including oxygen and emergency medications. Medical evaluation subsequently confirmed she had been bitten by an Ein Gedi viper, considered among the most venomous snake species in Israel. Although bites from this species are extremely rare, they can be fatal without immediate access to advanced emergency medicine and critical care.
Following four days of hospitalisation and close monitoring, Yael’s condition improved significantly, and she was discharged in stable condition. Although still experiencing temporary weakness in her hand, she is expected to make a full recovery.
Do not rely on AI, and do not touch snakes
Professional snake catcher Eran Ben-Bassat, who later reviewed the case, cautions against relying on AI or visual identification in high-risk environments. “Do not rely on AI, and do not touch snakes, even if you are certain of the identification,” he said. “Snakes should only be handled by trained professionals with proper equipment. This case ended in a miracle, but it is a clear warning about the dangers of misidentification and overconfidence in the wild, especially in isolated areas where medical care is not immediately accessible.”
*Name changed to protect the patient’s privacy.
This story is based on a Hebrew language article published by Mako.
