Jakarta, IO – A housewife was bitten by a Komodo dragon on Rinca Island, Komodo National Park (KNP) while out drying fish in front of her house. She was immediately admitted to Siloam Hospital in Labuan Bajo to receive medical treatment.
The victim, named Ratna (46), was evacuated using a fast boat belonging to the Komodo National Park Office (BTNK), per Detikcom.
Ratna arrived at the hospital at around 4.30pm WITA (Central Indonesia Time). The victim is currently undergoing treatment at the emergency department.
It was reported that Ratna was bitten on the hand by the giant lizard on Monday (2/10) at around 3pm WITA. The victim was bitten on the hand.
Head of the Komodo National Park Office (BTNK) Hendrikus Rani Siga said there were two main factors that lead to death after being bitten by a Komodo dragon, namely profuse bleeding and bacterial infection.
He said Komodo dragon saliva does not contain venom like snakes, but it does contain a lot of bacteria. This bacteria will infect the victim if not treated quickly.
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“As a result of the infection, one will eventually become weak,” he said. Most victims of Komodo dragon bites survive because they are treated quickly. “If they receive prompt medical care, on average they will survive,” added Hendrikus.
Victims who died ofte could not be treated quickly because of the long access from the Komodo National Park to the hospital in Labuan Bajo.
In the past, treatment had to be done in Bali because there was no hospital in Labuan Bajo. Treating Komodo dragon bite wounds, he said, is like treating wounds caused by bites from other animals. (rr)