A 78-year-old woman has died after being bitten multiple times by a venomous snake in Northern California, marking the third snakebite fatality in the state this year—a sharp rise from the typical average of no more than one per year.
The woman, a resident of Redwood Valley, was walking on rural property on 8 April when she was bitten three times, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. She was taken to hospital by family members but later died. An autopsy on 15 April confirmed envenomation as the cause of death, and the incident was ruled accidental. The snake species has not been identified.
This death follows two earlier rattlesnake fatalities: a 25-year-old mountain biker in Orange County in February and a 46-year-old hiker in Ventura County in March. The California Poison Control System has recorded about 70 rattlesnake bites in the first three months of 2026, compared to a typical annual total of 300 to 350.
Experts suggest the spike may be linked to unseasonably warm weather, including an early March heatwave, which brought rattlesnakes out of hibernation earlier than usual. Warmer temperatures have also encouraged more people to venture outdoors, increasing the likelihood of encounters. Greg Pauly, curator of herpetology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, noted that good winter rains and warm weather have boosted rodent populations, providing abundant food for snakes.
Medical officials stress prevention and immediate care. Dr Rais Vohra of the California Poison Control System advised wearing protective shoes and long pants, staying on marked trails, and avoiding contact with wild animals. Dr William Woo of Kaiser Permanente warned against outdated first-aid methods such as sucking venom or using tourniquets, urging victims to stay calm, keep the bite area neutral, and seek hospital care promptly.
