A 58-year-old woman died after a snake bit her when she went to the mountain to buy vegetables to sell at their barangay. 

"Sa una hindi malalim ang pag kagat, hindi nga pinansin ni tita, tapos kumagat ulit malalim na may dugo na akong nakita," said Bernadette Fabia, the niece of the victim, Mercedes Exiomo.

Exiomo was brought to the hospital, but died after more than 20 hours. The official cause of death, as stated on the death certificate, was a snakebite with signs of severe envenomation.

"Masakit kasi hindi namin inaasahang mamatay siya,” Fabia added.

Records from the Center for Health Development (CHD) Region One indicate that this is not the first fatality resulting from a snakebite in the area.

To prevent further incidents, health authorities advise individuals who have been bitten by a snake to seek immediate medical attention. 

Among the precautions recommended are not waiting for symptoms to appear, avoiding the cutting of the bitten area, and refraining from sucking out the venom. Instead, victims should be transported to the nearest hospital promptly.

"Kapag ang isang tao ay natuklaw ng ahas, dalhin agad sa pinakamalapit na ospital para mabigyan ng anti-venom kung ang nakakagat na ahas ay poisonous,” Dr. Rheuel Bobis, spokesperson for CHD-1, says.