Greater Southern Area Health Service has denied that a young snakebite victim was flown to Canberra Hospital because Cooma Hospital did not carry the appropriate anti-venom after claims were aired in the press.
Paramedics took a nine year-old girl to Cooma Hospital after a Tiger snake bit her while she was swimming near Dalgety on Wednesday.
Jane Hedger, a twin from South Australia, was in the region last week visiting her father John Hedger and stepped near the snake while dragging a kayak to shore after a paddle in the Snowy River.
She was transported by the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter service to Canberra and later taken to Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney.
Despite receiving medical attention Jane suffered an allergic reaction to the anti-venom and was placed in a drug-induced coma. She might require skin grafts to the bite area in the future.
A spokesperson for GSAHS said the suggestion that Cooma Hospital did not stock snake anti-venom was of concern as it might cause other people bitten by a snake in the future to avoid going to hospital for treatment.
"That is absolutely not true," the spokesperson said.
"It is incredibly concerning that that's being circulated."
GSAHS urged residents and visitors to be aware of snakes with evidence of snakes becoming active in the hot weather.
Owner of the Snowy River Holiday Park and family friend Barbara Bailey said the snake bit Jane twice as she reached the shore.
"There were adults watching them get out of the kayak and it bit her twice, the second time she flicked if off and sort of threw it away from her," Ms Bailey said.
"Every one rallied around and got her to the hospital, every one knows what to do about a snake bite here, you just hope you never have to use it."
Ms Bailey had nothing but praise for the ambulance drivers that met the family at Berridale en route to Cooma Hospital.
"They rang ahead and met the ambulance on the way in the car, they're very good that way.”