According to the information provided by the coroner in Kentucky, a man who was 59 years old passed away on Monday as a result of the stings he received from a swarm of bees.
The man, who has not been formally identified, was in the process of removing an old bag of potting soil from his porch in Harlan County, Kentucky, when the bees came from the bag, according to a post made by Deputy Coroner John W. Jones on social media. The post was shared by Jones. The man’s loved ones began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him, and he was transported to the hospital; nevertheless, he lost dead just before 6:00 p.m. There is currently no information available from the authorities regarding the man’s possible hypersensitivity to bee stings.
In a statement, the office of the coroner said, “Our heartfelt prayers go out to the entire family and friends,” and it also mentioned that the inquiry is still ongoing.
What proportion of those stung by bees end up dying as a result?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 788 people passed away as a result of being stung by hornets, wasps, or bees between the years 2011 and 2021. A total of 89 deaths occurred on average per year during the years of 2012 and 2017.
Males accounted for about 84% of the fatalities that were caused by stings.
According to an estimate provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, a typical human being has the capacity to tolerate 10 stings for every pound of body weight before suffering any detrimental consequences.
Trying to avoid getting stung.
It is recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture that one should keep an ear out for buzzing noises in order to stay away from bee colonies. If you happen upon a colony of bees, you shouldn’t annoy them or make fun of them in any way. It is not a good idea to try to get rid of the bees on your own.
Wearing clothes in bright colors is one potential answer to the problem. Honey bees, one of the many species that are capable of inflicting painful stings, may respond violently to particular hues because such hues induce them to think of bears and skunks, two of their natural enemies.
Those who are terrified of being stung by bees should also steer clear of products like shampoos, soaps, and perfumes that have a strong aroma.
What you should do in the event that a swarm of bees attacks you
If you come into a swarm of aggressive bees, the USDA advises you to leave the area immediately. Cover your face with your arms or your shirt if you’re going to be moving around a lot. It is essential to protect the skin that surrounds your eyes, nose, and ears at all times.
To protect yourself from the weather, you should get inside a building or a car. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you can get away from the bees by hiding under the water.
You should try to avoid making the bees even more upset by swiping at them or flailing your arms wildly about.
In the event that you have been critically stung, call 911 as soon as possible.
First aid for bee stings
Washing the region that was stung with soap and water is something that is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To remove the stinger, scrape the area with your fingernail or clean the area with cotton and then repeat. There is a strict prohibition against compressing or tweezing the stringer in any way.
An individual who has been stung might be able to reduce swelling in the region by putting ice to it. Do not touch the sting, since this might lead to more swelling and possibly an infection if you scratch at it.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, antihistamines and pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can assist with skin problems, while ibuprofen and other pain medicines can aid with discomfort. Those who are having a severe allergic reaction may require an epinephrine injector as well as a visit to the emergency department.
