Deadly scorpions have killed three and injured hundreds more following storms and flooding in Egypt. The insects, which can kill in under an hour, were driven into the streets and homes of Aswan, Egypt. As the creatures were flushed from their hiding places they injured over 500 people. /africanews.com/
Health Ministry officials told local media dozens were hospitalised after the freak incident. “Hospitals across the governorate have raised the state of utmost preparedness,” the ministry told Al-Ahram on Saturday. Doctors administering vaccinations have been redirected to help treat those stung. /africanews.com/
Hospital and medical units across the region stock the antivenom, but additional vials have been sent to rural areas in the mountain and desert villages. /africanews.com/
Illustrative A black fat-tail scorpion. The north African country is home to one of the most deadly scorpions in the world. The fat-tailed scorpion can kill an adult human in less than an hour, The New Arab reports. It releases a fast-acting neurotoxic venom, which creates neuronal excitation – a cause of seizures. People stung by the fat-tail have breathing difficulties, muscle twitches and uncontrollable head movements. (CC-BY SA, Guy HaimovitchWikimedia Commons)