Bee swarm attack lands Thailand monks in hospital

[Khun Don]

Bee swarm attack lands Thailand monks in hospital

Dozens of novice monks have been taken to hospital after an attack by a swarm of bees in northern Thailand.

The monks were cleaning the Chedi Luang temple in Chiang Mai province on Saturday when the attack took place.

The Bangkok Post said more than 70 monks were admitted to hospital, quoting one doctor as saying he had seen 19 in serious condition.

Bee stings typically cause skin rashes and nausea but multiple attacks are more serious and occasionally deadly.

Temple abbot Phra Ratcha Jetiyajarn told the Post that 76 monks had been taken to three regional hospitals.

The paper quoted Naren Chotirosnimitr, the director of the Maharaj Nakorn hospital in Chiang Mai, as saying 53 had been treated there, with six arriving in a coma suffering with low blood pressure.

Most of the monks were later discharged.

The abbot said the bees were from hives kept at the temple. They had been no problem previously and it was unclear why they had attacked, he said.

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[Susana]

That's sad news. Some novices are quite young. I hope they all will recover soon.

I can't help but wonder if the smell of a cleaning solution caused the bees to react as they did.

[fileeep]

My first visit to Chaing Mai in 1986, I was staying at a backpackers waiting to go on a 3 or 4 day trek and there were two English girls staying there, they had just returned from hospital after being attacked by bees while out on an organized trek, both their faces were very red and swollen, looking like the ‘elephant man’, the girls ran into a river to get away from the bees.

I was chopping a tree down once and a wasp stung me on my left nipple, it was so painful I can only imagine what multiple stings would be like.

[Marie]

It’s hard to guess what made those bees attack the monks. A couple of years back I was in a field trip to a bee farm and we were given extensive briefing beforehand to assure our safety. First of all, on what to wear, we were advised against putting on shiny or brightly colored clothing, flowery prints, or black, as these attract bees. Instead, white, green, and tan were recommended. Also, we were reminded to don clothes that cover the arms and legs; shoes should also be closed. Then •not to use strong perfumes or suntan lotions, hairsprays, hair tonics and other cosmetics that contain strong scents.
Food magnetizes them, so don’t eat near them. Or don’t leave crumbs or drink on your face.

What if you are stung? You may have a generalized allergic reaction that may include:
• an itchy feeling or gross swelling at the site of the sting
• difficulty in swallowing
• hives anywhere on the body
• generalized flushing of the skin
• abdominal cramps and nausea
• increased heart rate
• a drop in blood pressure or feeling of weakness
• a sense of doom
• collapse and unconsciousness
• difficulty in breathing - due to severe asthma or throat swelling.

Minor reaction can be cured by antihistamine, but a severe, life-threatening episode should be treated with adrenaline or epinephrine without delay.

Interestingly, some types of bees send out an alarm to fellow bees when one of them goes on attack. Then the entire clan comes to join the assault. Thus, if you are the target, cover your face and your head, as this will be where they attack most fiercely, and just run to seek shelter in an enclosed building or car.

In the monks' story, I am greatly perplexed on what might have triggered the massive assult.

[tinachenabc]

I am so sorry to that. I sincerely hope that related department take strong measure to do improve it and the hospitals can reflect to it deeply.