Did you know Hernando County is one of just two locations in the entire state that stores antivenin used for exotic snakebites?

  • Nature Coast Anti-Venom Index in Spring Hill
  • 1 of 2 antivenin storage sites
  • Sits at Hernando County Fire Station 3

The Nature Coast Anti-Venom Index was called into action on Saturday when a person was bit by a cobra in the Gainesville area. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office helped fly the supplies to the hospital.

A fridge full of different types of antivenin currently sits at Hernando County Fire Station 3 in Spring Hill.

"We have black widow anti-venom here as well. We are one of two facilities in the nation that actually stocks this for immediate response," Joseph Keefer, Director of the Nature Coast Anti-Venom Index, explained.

Keefer created this storage area after he noticed the need for a space in our area where antivenin could get to those in need quickly.

He is a retired firefighter from the Brooksville Police Department.

Keefer said hospitals do have some antivenin on hand, but may not have enough for serious bites or the right type to treat exotic bites. He also said anti-venom and antivenin are often used interchangeably.

"The number one snake that we see in Central Florida is pigmy rattlesnake bites. Most of those require six or less vials of anti-venom, so they get used to that. Then you get this large eastern diamondback bite and the next thing you know, they're exceeding what their anti-venom amount is," Keefer explained.

Keefer started with storing antivenin for animals four years ago and then expanded to storing some for people about a year ago. Miami is the only other place in the state where some of the antivenin for exotic animals is stored.

"We reached out to Miami-Dade and worked with them to start this program and get a program that kind of accented theirs,” he explained.