Hiker Killed by Asian Hornets: Dr. Kierzek’s Advice to Avoid the Worst

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)

A group of eight hikers were attacked by Asian hornets yesterday, Monday, September 23, in the town of Pleudihen-sur-Rance, in the Côtes d’Armor. The firefighters were called to intervene urgently.

Several victims, one of whom died on the spot

Once they arrived at the scene of the accident, the firefighters discovered a hiker in cardio-respiratory arrest. Unfortunately, the victim could not be resuscitated and she died on the spot. Another victim, a 68-year-old woman, was rushed to hospital. And three other hikers were hospitalized in Dinan.

According to the firefighters of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS), “An Asian hornet’s nest was destroyed a few hundred meters from the scene, at the foot of a tree“.

A rare but dramatic accident

Asked about this accident, Dr. Gérald Kierzek recalls the massive nature of the attack.This is a very rare but ‘massive’ hornet attack, so the envenomation, that is to say the quantity of venom introduced into the body, is significant. This is one of the three situations where you should be worried and therefore call for help.”

Three cases where you should call for help after one or more bites

According to the emergency doctor, there are three situations that should prompt you to call for help (call 15 to reach the emergency services):

• In the event of massive poisoning, therefore, with dozens of bites, as here;
• In the event that the sting is poorly placed and in a dangerous area, mainly in the mouth, face, neck or throat with the risk of asphyxiation that this entails. “Indeed, the normal local reaction linked to the venom leads to a edema sometimes significant, regardless of any allergic reaction” explains Dr. Kierzek;
• In the case of an allergic person.Either the person has already had a serious allergy, such as a Quincke’s edemahospitalization for a serious reaction and in this case it is necessary to anticipate and not wait to call for help, or the reaction clearly goes beyond the scope of the ‘normal’ local reaction. We then speak of anaphylaxis with a generalized reaction: generalized urticaria, edema (face, eyelids, etc.), breathing difficulties (asthma attack), discomfort, or even cardiac arrest” our expert also indicates.

If you are a victim of an Asian hornet, and you get stung just once without being allergic, don’t panic.An Asian hornet sting is no more dangerous than that of a wasp or a bee, except for people who are allergic to hymenoptera stings.“insists Dr. Gérald Kierzek.

“You will be able to manage it yourself if the signs are local, not in a risk area and there is no history of allergy” assures the doctor. Here is the procedure to follow:

• If you are stung, carefully remove the stinger if it is still stuck in the skin using tweezers, taking care not to crush the venom sac;
• If the hand is pricked, remove the rings so as not to hinder blood circulation (there is a risk of swelling);
• If possible, elevate the stung area;
• Then disinfect the bite with an antiseptic;
• Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the stung area to relieve pain;
• In case of prolonged itching, apply a suitable local treatment (hydrocortisone, H1 antihistamine, etc.).

If more serious symptoms occur within minutes of the sting (drop in blood pressure, asthma, edema, digestive problems), call 15.You should not wait, especially in the event of general signs such as a change in voice or swelling of the lips or face. You will never be blamed for calling the emergency services out of excess. The same goes for people with allergies who have a history of Quincke’s edema or anaphylactic shock or multiple stings. insists Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo. Finally, allergy sufferers should of course always have an adrenaline auto-injector pen on them if it has been prescribed by an allergist. So take it with you in your vacation suitcase!