Roughly a month ago in October there were cases of kids who died after being stung by wasps. And the cases increase until yesterday, when another boy died by what seemed to be wasps in Sarawak's southern region. Condolences to all the families of the victims. Below are the chronology of the cases:
October 5:
Batu Kawah: A family was swarmed at their home. Mother, eldest child and brother in-law survived. Two other children, Sze Ying, 6, and Chun Jie, 3, died. Read here.
October 8:
Batu Kawah: The eldest child of the previous attack, Chen Sze TIng, 8 did not make it. Read here.
October 25:
Muara Tebas: Two men and three women were attacked by a swarm of wasps during a jungle trek. All 5 were hospitalized in Sarawak General Hospital. Read here.
November 3:
Kampung Bako: Sazali Sapiee, 12, succumbed to unknown insect stings after being attacked by unknown insects while playing with his friends. Read here.
I'm not sure what's pissing off these wasps but I can point out to the weird weather pattern. I mean, I myself can be cranky during a hot day and even more crankier when experiencing extreme temperature change within 12 hours (bloody cold and wet in the morning and blazing hot in the afternoon). Or another theory is they're some kind of new species of wasps accidentally introduced into the state by insect collectors, stowaways from cargo ships, or simply were blew here by the 4 typhoons raging in the neighboring Philippines.
Whatever the reasons for their recent agitation, let's be careful with wasps or any other insects you encounter. Below are the info on the bugs that may inflict pain (Source thestar.com.my):
CENTIPEDE - The house centipede, unlike most other centipedes that normally live outdoors, can live indoors especially in damp, moist basements, cellars, bathrooms, crawlspaces or unexcavated areas under the house.
ANT - Ants sting and inject their formic acid into animals or humans that threaten them or their nests. Unlike honeybees, ant stingers do not have barbs so the ant can sting several times, and the act of stinging does not kill the ant. A bite or sting from a CENTIPEDE, ANT or BEE can easily be treated, even at home. If the reaction is localised, wash with soap and water. You could also get a steroid-based cream from the pharmacy to apply.
BEE - Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination. Bees sting only when they are extremely provoked - to protect their colony or when frightened - because they will die after stinging. When a BEE stings, it leaves a sac in your skin that continues to pump venom into your flesh, so it’s best to get it out as soon as possible. Scrape the stinger off with a quick sideways movement with a fingernail.
WASP & HORNET - Unlike the bee, the wasp and hornet are more aggressive and can insert and withdraw its sting with comparative ease. Hence, a single wasp is able to deliver multiple stings with ease. When you are being attacked by HORNETS, don’t run as this will make them think that you are going to attack them. Find a place to squat down and sit still. Hornets can mobilise the entire nest to sting in defense. They will only attack when provoked, but don’t go too near the nests as our sweat will provoke them to attack. When stung, lie down and apply cold water or ice in a wet cloth on the affected area. If you experience any symptoms of allergy in the first 20 minutes after being stung, get medical aid immediately.
LEECH - They hang off the leaves of bushes and will drop onto you as you brush against them. The leech’s saliva contains an anaesthetic so you do not feel its bite. LEECHES will drop off once they have drunk their fill from you. They should not be pulled off - their jaws could be left in your flesh. Remove with a dab of salt, alcohol, an ember or a flame. (Ham: Hmmm, our sweat is salty, so I have a theory that applying sweat drops on them may work).
SCORPION - The Black Scorpion is common in Asia, especially in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It can be found in forests or sheltered scrublands. However, its venom is not considered lethal. A SCORPION’s sting might require medical attention. There might be symptoms and lots of pain. These can be treated with sedation or pills to stop vomiting.
SPIDERS - Although scientifically not an insect, it is still a creepy crawly. There are no significantly poisonous spiders in Malaysia. A bite from a tarantula is painful but not life-threatening.
CATERPILLARS - Caterpillars’ bristles may be poisonous, so they should not be touched.
Whatever the reasons for their recent agitation, let's be careful with wasps or any other insects you encounter. Below are the info on the bugs that may inflict pain (Source thestar.com.my):
CENTIPEDE - The house centipede, unlike most other centipedes that normally live outdoors, can live indoors especially in damp, moist basements, cellars, bathrooms, crawlspaces or unexcavated areas under the house.ANT - Ants sting and inject their formic acid into animals or humans that threaten them or their nests. Unlike honeybees, ant stingers do not have barbs so the ant can sting several times, and the act of stinging does not kill the ant. A bite or sting from a CENTIPEDE, ANT or BEE can easily be treated, even at home. If the reaction is localised, wash with soap and water. You could also get a steroid-based cream from the pharmacy to apply.
BEE - Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination. Bees sting only when they are extremely provoked - to protect their colony or when frightened - because they will die after stinging. When a BEE stings, it leaves a sac in your skin that continues to pump venom into your flesh, so it’s best to get it out as soon as possible. Scrape the stinger off with a quick sideways movement with a fingernail.
WASP & HORNET - Unlike the bee, the wasp and hornet are more aggressive and can insert and withdraw its sting with comparative ease. Hence, a single wasp is able to deliver multiple stings with ease. When you are being attacked by HORNETS, don’t run as this will make them think that you are going to attack them. Find a place to squat down and sit still. Hornets can mobilise the entire nest to sting in defense. They will only attack when provoked, but don’t go too near the nests as our sweat will provoke them to attack. When stung, lie down and apply cold water or ice in a wet cloth on the affected area. If you experience any symptoms of allergy in the first 20 minutes after being stung, get medical aid immediately.
LEECH - They hang off the leaves of bushes and will drop onto you as you brush against them. The leech’s saliva contains an anaesthetic so you do not feel its bite. LEECHES will drop off once they have drunk their fill from you. They should not be pulled off - their jaws could be left in your flesh. Remove with a dab of salt, alcohol, an ember or a flame. (Ham: Hmmm, our sweat is salty, so I have a theory that applying sweat drops on them may work).
SCORPION - The Black Scorpion is common in Asia, especially in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. It can be found in forests or sheltered scrublands. However, its venom is not considered lethal. A SCORPION’s sting might require medical attention. There might be symptoms and lots of pain. These can be treated with sedation or pills to stop vomiting.
SPIDERS - Although scientifically not an insect, it is still a creepy crawly. There are no significantly poisonous spiders in Malaysia. A bite from a tarantula is painful but not life-threatening.
CATERPILLARS - Caterpillars’ bristles may be poisonous, so they should not be touched.
1 comment:
come to aus and u shall experience those extreme weather, it was 33 degree on sat but last night it was 13, i have gone thru the "lie there sweating to death" feel to hibernation once again~
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