First Aid Information: Leeches

Venom in saliva is slow acting but over time can cause paralysis and death. Young children are most at risk. Symptoms include an unsteady walk, weakness of the limbs, headache, fever, flu-like symptoms, sore lymph nodes, and partial facial paralysis.


First Aid – Specific Leech Treatment
Medical Treatment – Seek urgent medical treatment
Antivenom – Available

leech close-up leech on skin

Applying Specific Leech Treatment