A 52-year-old man died on Saturday after being stung by an Asian hornet in Paredes de Coura, Viana do Castelo district.
The information was confirmed by Notícias ao Minuto with the Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of Alto Minho.
The alert was issued after the incident, with the man located in a rural area.
Following the alert, the Paredes de Coura Firefighters and operatives from the National Republican Guard were dispatched to the scene.
The death was declared at the location.
What to know about the Asian hornet?
This is not the first incident involving Asian hornets, a species native to tropical and subtropical regions from northern India to eastern China, Indochina, and the Indonesian archipelago. Their presence in Portugal was first recorded in 2011.
The velutina is distinguished from the European species Vespa crabro by the color of its abdomen, which is predominantly black, unlike the European species where yellow prevails.
The Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests has warned of the impacts of this non-native species, particularly on beekeeping, as it is a carnivorous species that preys on bees.
The Asian hornet also poses a public health risk, responding aggressively when nests are threatened, “including pursuits over several hundred meters.”
According to an article published this year by DECO PROteste, several points must be considered concerning this species, particularly considering the risk of anaphylactic shock, which “if not treated quickly can be fatal.”
What are the symptoms of an anaphylactic shock?
“In cases of severe allergy to wasp venom, a reaction involving the whole body can be triggered and be fatal to the sting victim. Typically, it occurs within an hour after the individual is stung, but can also start within minutes. Without urgent medical intervention, it can result in the death of the patient,” warns the consumer protection association.
The signs in this case are listed below (and if you have any of them, you should immediately call 112):
- Generalized itching, especially on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands;
- Urticaria, or a skin rash, with the appearance of small pink or red lesions (papules) accompanied by a burning or itching sensation;
- Angiodema, which manifests as swelling in areas where the skin is less taut, such as the eyelids, lips, face, and neck. If it affects the larynx, angiodema can even cause suffocation;
- Difficulty breathing, due to the constriction of the bronchi;
- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal spasms;
- Dizziness or loss of consciousness, due to a sudden drop in blood pressure;
- State of shock, with a rapid pulse, irregular heartbeat, and paleness.
