Omari Gates
Australia is known for its venomous creatures, and it is estimated that around 64 people were killed by venomous bites or stings over a 13-year period, with bees, wasps, and snakes being the primary causes. While spider bites are rare, they still pose a risk, with approximately 3,000 reported annually, and efficient antivenoms and improved first aid measures have protected against fatalities since 1979. Snake bites, on the other hand, caused 27 deaths during the study period, with nearly twice as many deaths per hospital admission than other venomous creatures. This highlights the importance of understanding prevention methods and correct first aid responses to manage the diverse range of venomous creatures in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths from venomous bites and stings in 2017-18 | 19 |
| Number of deaths from venomous bites and stings between 2000-2013 | 64 |
| Percentage of deaths from venomous bites and stings caused by insects | 53% (34 out of 64) |
| Number of deaths from bee or wasp stings | 27 |
| Number of deaths from snake bites | 27 |
| Number of deaths from tick bites | 3 |
| Number of deaths from ant bites | 2 |
| Number of hospital admissions from venomous bites and stings | 41,000-42,000 |
| Percentage of hospital admissions from bee or wasp stings | 31-33% |
| Percentage of hospital admissions from spider bites | 30% |
| Percentage of hospital admissions from snake bites | 15% |
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What You'll Learn
Bees and wasps are the most dangerous insects
Australia has a reputation for being a hotbed of deadly creatures, from spiders and snakes to jellyfish and stonefish. However, bees and wasps are the country's most dangerous insects, causing more hospital admissions than any other venomous creature.
A 13-year study by public health researcher Dr Ronelle Welton from the University of Melbourne analysed national coronial data from 2000 to 2013. The research found that bees and wasps were responsible for 33% of hospital admissions due to venomous bites and stings, with spiders at 30% and snakes at 15%. Over this period, there were 64 deaths from venomous bites and stings, with 27 caused by bees and wasps and 27 by snakes. More than half of the deaths were due to an allergic reaction causing anaphylactic shock.
The high number of deaths from insect bites and stings has led Professor Hoyer to comment on the "enormous" incidence of allergies in Australia. He also pointed to the fatalities caused by "Melbourne's thunderstorm asthma" in November as evidence of the severity of allergies in the country. Dr Welton also believes that the current national guidelines for the prevention and treatment of envenoming are inadequate, as there is still much to learn about the health burden of venomous creatures.
Bees and wasps are not always feared in the same way as snakes, but they can cause a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. This reaction can kill quickly, and people may underestimate the danger of these insects, assuming they are innocuous. This highlights the importance of understanding the risks associated with venomous creatures and seeking prompt medical attention if bitten or stung.
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Snake bites are the most deadly
While bees and other insects pose the biggest threat to public health in Australia, snakes are the country's deadliest venomous creature. Between 1942 and 1950, there were 56 deaths from snakebites in Australia. More recently, from 2000 to 2016, there were 35 deaths recorded by the National Coronial Information Service, with the brown snake causing 23 of these.
Snake bite envenoming causes nearly twice as many deaths per hospital admission than any other venomous creature. While snake bite fatalities are very rare, with wide access to antivenom and adequate medical care, they do happen. There are around 550 hospital admissions with snake bites each year, and there is an average of two deaths per year.
The majority of people who die from snakebites in Australia are male, and more than half of the bites occur in or near the home. Bites are more likely to occur in the warmer months when snakes are more active, and most occur on limbs. Up to one-fifth of fatal victims were reported to have been bitten while trying to pick up or kill a snake.
While it's natural to fear snakes, the reality is that the number of deaths from snake bites in Australia is very small. In the same time frame, nearly 5,000 people died from drowning and 1,000 from burns.
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Most deaths occur in major cities
Australia has a reputation for being the epicentre of all things venomous, whether it's snakes and spiders on land or lethal marine life. However, research shows that bees and other insects, not snakes, spiders, or jellyfish, pose the biggest public health threat.
Over a 13-year period, bees and wasps accounted for the highest number of hospital admissions, with spiders and snakes following closely behind. During this study period, 64 people were killed by a venomous sting or bite, with more than half of these deaths (34) caused by an allergic reaction to an insect bite causing anaphylactic shock. Snake bites caused 27 deaths, with nearly twice as many deaths per hospital admission than any other venomous creature. Tick and ant bites also contributed to fatalities, with a combined total of five deaths.
Surprisingly, over half of these deaths occurred at home, and almost two-thirds (64%) took place in major cities and inner-regional areas where healthcare is readily accessible. Western Australia and South Australia recorded the highest number of fatal stings and bites, while Tasmania was the only state or territory without any reported deaths.
The high number of insect-related fatalities in major cities and inner-regional areas may be attributed to several factors. One reason could be the higher population density in these areas, increasing the likelihood of encounters with venomous insects. Additionally, the presence of multiple hospitals and improved access to healthcare in these regions may contribute to the higher number of recorded deaths, as individuals seek medical attention for venomous bites and stings.
While Australia has a diverse range of venomous creatures, the availability of antivenoms and improved first aid measures have significantly reduced the number of fatalities. Efficient antivenoms and medical advancements have prevented any spider bite-related deaths since 1979. Furthermore, public awareness of allergy risks and the availability of Epipens can help reduce the number of anaphylactic shock cases caused by insect bites.
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Anaphylactic shock is the main cause of death
Australia has a reputation for its venomous creatures, from snakes and spiders to jellyfish and insects. However, research has shown that bees and other insects pose the biggest threat to public health. Over a 13-year period, bees and wasps accounted for the highest number of hospital admissions, with spiders and snakes following closely behind.
During this 13-year period, 64 people were killed by a venomous sting or bite. More than half of these deaths, 34 to be exact, were caused by an allergic reaction to an insect bite that triggered anaphylactic shock. This means that anaphylactic shock was the main cause of death in cases of venomous bites and stings. Of these 34 deaths, 27 were from bee or wasp stings, and the remaining seven were from tick and ant bites combined.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. In the context of insect bites, it occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to the insect's venom. The symptoms of anaphylaxis can include dizziness, swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to anaphylactic shock, which is a medical emergency.
The high number of deaths from anaphylaxis following insect bites in Australia is concerning, especially considering that many of these incidents occurred in areas where healthcare is readily accessible. One possible explanation for this is complacency in seeking medical attention. Insect bites are often not taken as seriously as a snake or spider bite, and people may not recognize the severity of an allergic reaction until it is too late. Additionally, the incidence of allergies in Australia may be higher than expected, and many people may be unaware of their allergy until they experience a severe reaction.
To prevent further deaths from anaphylactic shock due to insect bites, it is important for individuals to be aware of their allergy status and to carry Epipens if necessary. Additionally, seeking immediate medical attention after an insect bite, even if it seems mild, can help prevent fatal outcomes.
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Tick and ant bites are also deadly
Australia has a reputation for being the epicentre of venomous creatures. However, bees and other insects, not snakes, spiders, or jellyfish, pose the biggest public health threat. Over a 13-year period, venomous bites and stings resulted in almost 42,000 hospitalisations and 64 deaths. Of these, 34 were caused by an allergic reaction to an insect bite causing anaphylactic shock.
Tick bites caused three of these deaths. Ticks are parasites that feed on animal and human blood. They can vary in size from a pinhead to as large as a marble. While there are over 70 different types of ticks in Australia, only 17 feed on human blood. Ticks are especially common along the east coast of Australia, with most tick bites caused by the paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. Tick bites can cause allergies and transmit infections. They can pass on Rickettsia bacteria, causing illnesses such as Q-fever and Rickettsial infections. In rare cases, ticks can cause tick paralysis, with symptoms including trouble breathing and collapse.
Ant bites caused two deaths in Australia over the 13-year period. The jack jumper ant (Myrmecia pilosula) is a species of venomous ant native to Australia. They are large, ranging from 11 to 16 mm in size. They are most frequently found in Tasmania and southeast mainland Australia. The jack jumper ant is one of the few ant species that can be dangerous to humans. Its venom is particularly immunogenic, causing about 90% of Australian ant allergies. In endemic areas, up to 3% of the population has developed an allergy to the venom, and about half of these people can suffer from anaphylactic reactions, which can lead to death on rare occasions. Between 1980 and 2000, four deaths were due to anaphylaxis from jack jumper stings, all in Tasmania.
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Frequently asked questions
64 people were killed by venomous bites and stings in Australia over a 13-year period, with 34 of those deaths caused by an allergic reaction to an insect bite causing anaphylactic shock.
Bees and wasps are responsible for the highest number of hospital admissions in Australia. Over a 13-year period, they accounted for approximately one-third (33%) of hospital admissions due to venomous bites and stings.
Western Australia and South Australia recorded the highest number of fatal insect bites and stings over a 13-year period. Tasmania was the only state or territory where no deaths were recorded.
If you are bitten by an insect in Australia, seek medical attention immediately. Anaphylaxis from insect bites can kill quickly, and it is important to get treatment as soon as possible.
