Woman dies from snake bites as California sees spike in cases

A 78-year-old woman has died from snake bites in Northern California, marking the third deadly snake bite victim in the state this year.

The woman was walking in a rural area in Redwood Valley on April 8 when she suffered three venomous snake bites, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said.

She was treated at a hospital but died on April 10, the sheriff's office said.

While about 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year in the U.S., only about five of those people die from the bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But this already marks the third deadly snake bite in California this year.

A 25-year-old man died after he was bitten by a rattlesnake while mountain biking in Irvine in Southern California in February, according to ABC Los Angeles station KABC. In March, a 46-year-old woman died after she was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking at Southern California's Wildwood Regional Park, KABC reported.

Peak rattlesnake season is just getting underway. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said bites are most common between April and October.

The video in the player above is from a related report.

If you see a snake, you are encouraged to give it plenty of space to allow it to move away on its own.

If you are bitten by a snake:

• Stay calm and call 911.
• Don't try to suck out the venom or cut the bite.
• Don't apply restrictive bands or tourniquets.
• Don't apply ice or heat.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and medications unless directed by medical professionals.
• Lay still as much as possible until help arrives.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California is home to seven species of rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnakes typically avoid people and bites are considered rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that out of the 7-8,000 venomous snake bites in the U.S. each year, only five people die.