Cobra bit woman, 41, on foot as she exited Taiwan library

A library visit ended up in hospitalisation for a 41-year-old woman in Taiwan after a cobra bit her right foot on Nov. 16.

Taipei Times reported that the woman was exiting a public library in Taiwan's west-central Taichung when the incident occurred.

Bitten while leaving

According to the police, the woman was bitten just as she activated the automatic door to exit the library.

Sin Chew Daily reported that she suddenly felt a sharp pain on her right foot.

She screamed when she looked down and saw that a cobra had bitten her.

After biting her, the cobra slithered into the book and newspaper reading area on the library's first floor.

Cobra captured

In response to the incident, the Taichung City Fire Department dispatched personnel to the scene after receiving a report at 12:36pm.

According to Taipei Times, firefighters and contractors working with the Taichung Agriculture Bureau captured and removed the 30cm-long.

Library director Chen Chiu-hua said staff fully inspected the building where they confirmed that no other snakes were present.

Near ditch with weeds

The snake might have emerged from a drainage channel near the library, according to police.

This drainage ditch was damp and overgrown with weeds, Sin Chew Daily reported.

Hospitalised

Following the incident, the woman was transported to Taichung Veterans General Hospital for treatment at 12:45pm, according to online site My Taiwan Life.

The woman was conscious with stable vital signs and is currently under observation after medical professionals administered antivenom.

Top photos via Taiwan SETNEWS Live Channel/YouTube, Sin Chew Daily