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MDFR Snake Venom Team Credited With Saving Iraqi

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May 25, 2009 7:17 pm US/Eastern

MDFR Snake Venom Team Credited With Saving Iraqi

MIAMI (CBS4) ― When an Iraqi corrections officer was bit by a deadly Desert Black Cobra, military officials in Washington called on Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Venom Response Team.

The team led by Capt. Ernie Jilson instructed the U.S. Army doctors treating the Iraqi officer on Saturday morning how to administer the anti-venin.

"We have the largest anti-venin bank on this side of the world," said Lt. Arnold Piedrahita. "The U.S. military called our dispatch."

Dispatch then contacted Jilson who reached out to the vaccine center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There he was able to track down and coordinate the proper treatment needed to save the Iraqi officer.

Jilson also instructed the U.S. Army doctors on the dosing regimen of the antivenin. Doctors administered five vials of Saudi antivenin to the patient on Saturday morning causing his condition to improve considerably, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

The patient has since regained movement and feeling in the affected extremity and is expected to be released from the hospital Monday morning.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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