Overview of sea snake bites

Many different species of sea snakes occur in Australia, but most of them are rare. Sea snakes predominantly occur in northern Australia, and come into contact with humans in shallow water, on beaches or in fishing nets.

Sea snake bites are extremely rare in Australia (approximately 1 or 2 cases per year). The bite may be painless. The main clinical effect of sea snake venom is myotoxicity (rhabdomyolysis), causing muscle pain and nonspecific weakness, which develops within hours of the bite. Muscle pain may become severe with muscle spasms developing. Symptoms suggestive of systemic envenoming include nausea, vomiting and malaise. Neurotoxicity has been reported in two cases of sea snake bites.