A Blacktip Reef Shark Bite to the Hand in the Remote Solomon Islands

A Blacktip Reef Shark Bite to the Hand in the Remote Solomon Islands

Daniel Popa, MD, PhD; Nancy Beach, PA-C; Charlotte Sadler, MD

ABSTRACT:

Background

Solomon Islands is a country in the South Pacific Ocean with excellent scuba diving, particularly among its remote islands that can be accessed by liveaboard dive boats. Blacktip reef sharks ( Carcharhinus melanopterus) are found throughout the island nation and rarely attack humans.

Case Report

We present the case of a 42-year-old man who sustained a hand laceration after being bitten by a blacktip reef shark. He underwent complex primary wound closure in an austere environment and received prophylactic antibiotics. No infection developed and he recovered fully.

Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?

We discuss our rationale in closing the wound aboard the dive boat, the choice of antibiotics, and review marine pathogens.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine, DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.09.009

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