Update of antivenom supply for redback spider bites in Japan.

Authors :: Hifumi T
Taki H
Yamamoto A
Ato M
Koido Y
Kuroda Y
Source :: Journal of intensive care [J Intensive Care] 2015 Feb 11; Vol. 3 (1), pp. 7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Feb 11 (Print Publication: 2015).
Publication Year :: 2015
Abstract: In autumn 2014, with great effort by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the research group will obtain several vials of redback spider (RBS) antivenom for emergency use. However, these small amounts of antivenom are insufficient to cover the demands from majority of hospitals in Japan. The research group carefully discussed the domestic RBS antivenom production by themselves for this emergency. We have now entered the second stage for large-scale antivenom production. Although the domestic production of RBS antivenom has started, great caution is required as we move forward with this plan.