Chris Howarth, along with his wife and children, traveled from Idaho to visit his parents in Oroville, California, in late May. On a rainy day, he went into the backyard and accidentally stepped on a rattlesnake.
Chris initially thought the sharp pain in his leg was from a plant thorn. However, he then realized the snake had bitten him twice. One bite was shallow, but the other hit a blood vessel, allowing the venom to spread rapidly throughout his body.
Chris began experiencing difficulty breathing, a numb tongue, and swollen lymph nodes. His wife, Jenny, immediately took him to a hospital in Oroville. Doctors administered antivenom to Chris, but his condition remained critical. The hospital used all 36 of its reserve antivenom vials, yet the symptoms were not controlled.
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Chris received dozens of antivenom vials at Oroville Hospital. Photo: SFGate |
Chris was then airlifted to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. There, he received an additional 18 vials of antivenom, bringing the total number of vials used to 54. Beyond antivenom, Chris also received platelet, plasma, and other blood product transfusions. He underwent CT scans, multiple tests, and primarily received treatment in the intensive care unit.
After 12 days in the hospital, Chris recovered approximately 80%. However, his leg remained painful and swollen, especially after physical activity. The Howarths were shocked to discover that the total treatment bill from both hospitals amounted to about 1.3 million USD before insurance review.
The family does not yet know the final amount they will have to pay out of pocket. Jenny stated that each antivenom vial was priced at around 13,000 USD, while the cost per night at Stanford Hospital was 61,000 USD.
Meanwhile, Chris exhausted his vacation and sick leave during his treatment and has not received a salary for nearly two months. Lingering fatigue has left him easily exhausted, preventing his return to work. "It is stressful to receive such a large hospital bill while my husband has had no income for over seven weeks," Jenny said.
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Chris Howarth received a 1.3 million USD hospital bill after being bitten by a rattlesnake twice and requiring 54 vials of antivenom. Photo: California Post |
A friend of the couple launched an online fundraising campaign to help with ongoing treatment costs, future care, and the family's lost income.
California reported a significant increase in rattlesnake sightings this spring, following an unusual heatwave in March. As of early July, at least 249 people had been bitten by snakes and three cases resulted in fatalities in the state.
Experts note that snakes can still appear in cool and humid weather. When a rattlesnake's tail is wet or muddy, its characteristic rattling sound may be muffled or almost inaudible. This increases the risk of people accidentally stepping on them and being bitten.
Ha Linh (According to NY Post, SFGate, People)
