A couple died from being stung by a "human-headed bee"! How to deal with being stung during the high "bee" season in autumn?

Recently, a couple in their 80s from Nanyang, Henan

Died from being stung by a "human-headed bee"

Around 9 a.m. on October 4, two elderly people were on their way to their vegetable garden when they were suddenly stung by a group of "human-headed bees" on their heads and other parts of their bodies . They were then sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, the old man died at around 9 p.m. that day, and his wife died at around 11 a.m. the next day.

On the evening of October 9, Mr. He, the grandson of the two elderly people, said that the grandfather was 86 years old and the grandmother was 84 years old. They had been in good health and had no other diseases. After checking the scene, the family suspected that someone had stolen the beehive, causing the "human-headed bees" to scatter in the nearby grass and trees, causing the two elderly people to be harmed. The police have been notified. The local police said that they are still looking for the suspect.

The accidental injury registration form issued by Nanyang First People's Hospital for Mr. He's grandmother showed that the elderly woman was clinically diagnosed with bee stings, lung infection, etc., and had symptoms such as multiple erythema on the head, face, and limbs. She was admitted to the hospital in the emergency department with "bee stings."

What is the “human-headed bee” that hurts people?

"Human-head bee" generally refers to wasps . The outside of its hive is covered with a hard spherical shell and is often hung high up. From a distance, it looks like a human head , so people call it "human-head bee."

Image source: Northwestern University Museum

Wasps in a broad sense are a general term for all insects in the family Vespidae (including six subfamilies), superfamily Vespidae , class Insecta, order Hymenoptera, phylum Arthropoda, and class Insecta. So far, more than 5,210 species are known worldwide. The most common wasps in China have three subfamilies: Mesinae, Pomacinae, and Vespinae.

When faced with attacks or unfriendly interference, eusocial insects with clear division of labor and large family groups (i.e. species of the Vespinae and Polidonae subfamily) will engage in group defense and collective attack.

Wasp venom can be deadly

The abdomen of most wasps is pointed at one end and flat at the other, shaped like a spinning top. They are larger than ordinary bees, very aggressive, and their venom can be deadly .

Minor stings

Generally, local symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and itching will occur. Purulence and necrosis in the center may occur at the bee sting site and may last for several days.

Severe stings

It will cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome , which may be accompanied by damage to multiple systems such as the circulatory system, nervous system, and urinary system . Severe poisoning may lead to death.

Wasps have a strong sense of territory

Wasps usually take precautionary actions within 10 meters of a beehive or its activity area. Therefore, if you stray into a wasp's territory, disturb a swarm, or touch a beehive , you may be attacked by the wasps, so you need to be careful.

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The dried hornet's nest can be used as medicine and is called "dew beehive" . Therefore, some people may take the risk to steal hornet's nest. This behavior not only endangers their own safety, but also easily triggers hornet attacks and injures people around them.

Wasps live in nests throughout their lives. They not only build nests in garden bushes, high branches, eaves, etc., but also choose to build nests in residential houses, schools, factories and other places where people gather . So once you find a wasp nest, do not dispose of it casually. Call 119 to report it and let professionals handle it.

The autumn peak season has arrived! Injuries are frequent

The peak incidence of wasp stings occurs from August to October , and there are also more cases in July and November. During this period, the newly born queen bee will separate from the old queen bee and lead some wasps to build nests and lay eggs elsewhere. This is also the active period for bees. Recently, there have been many serious incidents of being in danger of death due to wasp stings.

Not long ago, Ms. Huang (pseudonym), who lives in Quanzhou, Fujian, was collecting mushrooms on the mountain when she accidentally found a creature similar to Ganoderma lucidum and reached out to pick it. Unexpectedly, this action disturbed the wasp nest and was immediately attacked by the swarm . Ms. Huang soon lost consciousness and suffered multiple organ failure.

On October 2, Mr. Wen from Shiyan, Hubei, went hiking with his friends. Unexpectedly, all four of them were stung by bees. Mr. Wen was stung more than 20 times and was sent to the ICU in critical condition.

The scary thing about wasps is that they attack repeatedly

The bee's stinger is covered with barbs. Because of these barbs, the bee will pull out the internal organs along with the person after stinging, so the person will die after one sting.

The stinger of a hornet is a hollow tube made up of two long, sharp needles. It is relatively smooth , so the hornet can easily pull it out after stinging a person. As long as there is venom left in the body, it can attack repeatedly and inject bee venom (containing neurotoxic and hematotoxins).

Therefore, if you see a "human head-shaped" hornet's nest, you need to get away from it as soon as possible. Once you are "repeatedly attacked" by the swarm of hornets, the consequences will be disastrous.

How to deal with bee stings?

Remove the sting

If the stinger remains in the body (a wasp does not leave a stinger after a sting), do not blindly pull out the stinger with the venom sac . You can use a needle to pick out the stinger , and avoid scratching it with your hands, which may cause the venom sac to rupture and release more toxins.

Cleaning the wound

Rinse with running water for 10-15 minutes , and disinfect with iodine if conditions permit. Wasp venom is weakly alkaline , so after rinsing, you can use weakly acidic liquids such as vinegar to wet the wound to neutralize the venom; bee venom is weakly acidic , so you can use soapy water or other weakly alkaline liquids to wash. Local analgesia

Apply local ice compress within 24-48 hours, and apply anti-allergic ointment or cooling oil to help the rash disappear.

Seek medical attention promptly

Observe closely for about half an hour after being stung. If you have difficulty breathing, your breathing becomes rough, there is a wheezing sound, or you experience headaches, vomiting, palpitations, chest tightness, weakness in the limbs, cold hands and feet, or hematuria, please seek medical attention immediately .

How to avoid bee stings?

Understanding Wasp Habits

Try to avoid entering mountainous areas, woods and other places where hornets live when hornets are active.

Reduce skin exposure

When going out, try to wear long sleeves and long pants to reduce skin exposure.

Avoid exposing the fragrance

Wasps are sensitive to irritating smells such as perfume, so you should avoid using scented sunscreen, perfume and other cosmetics. Keep food and drinks safe and avoid exposure to sugary and sweetened drinks .

Please do not pat at will

If you encounter a hornet, please remain calm and do not slap it randomly to avoid angering the swarm.

It is the active season for bees

Please pay more attention to outdoor activities in autumn

Treat bee stings as soon as possible

Seek medical attention if necessary