The heavy rains and thunderstorms that hit the area surrounding River Nile in Egypt unleashed deadly scorpions on peoples’ homes.
According to reports, three people died and 450 others hospitalized after being stung by the arachnids in the southern city of Aswan.
Snakes were also disturbed from their hideouts and images shared on social media show flooded streets, damaged houses, vehicles and agricultural farms.
The rains also caused power outages and toppled trees.
Those stung by scorpions complained of severe pain, fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle tremors, and head twitching.
The undersecretary of the health ministry in Aswan Ehab Hanafy said that hospitals were in a state of utmost preparedness and doctors who had proceeded for vacation were called back to handle the influx of patients.
Hanafy further said that medical centers including those in remote areas were provided with extra amounts of antivenom.
The heavy downpour and subsequent floods also forced the suspension of learning activities according to Governor Ashraf Attia.
Aswan and the surrounding receives an average of 10 mm of rainfall and is home to the Arabian fat-tailed scorpions, whose venom is a deadly collection of neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, and possibly myotoxins.
The scorpion is 8-10cm (3-4 inches) long and relies on vibrations and sound to locate its prey as it has poor vision, hearing and smell.
When stung by such a species, one experiences intense pain, redness, and swelling of the sting which quickly leads to heart malfunction, internal bleeding, visual disturbance, and respiratory problems.
If untreated, a sting can cause death in an adult in just an hour.
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