Unwelcome visitors: is EMS ready for fire ants and killer bees.
Fire ants and AHBs are aggressive social insects that readily attack when they perceive a threat. Rarely, each can cause fatal allergic reactions. However, AHBs can overwhelm and kill even healthy, nonallergic people. Such encounters are relatively rare, yet increasing in frequency. As a rule, fire ants can't overwhelm a healthy, mobile person, and even hundreds of stings are rarely fatal. AHBs, however, pose a greater threat to EMS and fire personnel when encountered. Every EMS agency in areas where AHBs are located (or predicted to migrate) should develop protocols for AHB attacks. Such a response should assure adequate personnel and, above all, rescuer safety. The protocol should be periodically practiced and reviewed.
Bledsoe
Bryan E
BE
George Washington University Medical Center, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants; D001516:Bees; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000628:therapy*; D016272:Occupational Health; D014481:United States