Definition
Definition
A more aggressive species than the bee in our region. These bees have migrated to South America and some southern states of the United States. Their poison is no more dangerous than that of other bees, but the reaction is more intense in people who are attacked by entire swarms (from 200 to 1000 simultaneous stings in most cases). The additional danger with this variety of hymenoptera lies in the fact that African bees pursue their victim for nearly a kilometer, while "our" bees only do so for about fifty meters.
Generalities
Outside the American continent, these insects are likely to be encountered in sub-Saharan Africa. Stung individuals may react simply by developing an allergy, but sometimes fatal envenomation affects the entire body. The consequences of such envenomation are progressive muscle destruction, hemolysis (burst of red blood cells), and impaired renal filtration, leading to oligoanuria or anuria (reduction or even absence of urine excretion). It has been calculated that the dose likely to cause death in an individual corresponds to approximately 1500 stings for a 70-kilogram man. However, deaths have been observed for a number of stings less than 500, and individuals have survived more than 1500 stings. Of course, children present an increased risk compared to adults, always in direct relation to the quantity of venom injected.
Symptoms
Pathophysiology
Stung individuals may react simply by developing an allergy, but sometimes fatal envenomation affects the entire body.
The consequences of such envenomation will be the progressive destruction of muscles, hemolysis of red blood cells (burst) and insufficient functioning of renal filtration causing oligoanuria or anuria (reduction or even absence of urine excretion).
It has been calculated that the dose likely to cause death corresponds to approximately 1500 stings for a 70-kilogram man. However, deaths have been recorded with fewer stings than this (approximately 500 stings). There are also individuals who have survived more than 1500 stings.
Of course, children are at increased risk compared to adults, directly related to the amount of venom injected.
Treatment
Treatment
To behaveIf serious envenomation is suspected, the patient must be taken to hospital and immediately placed in intensive care or intensive care. There is currently no specific antivenom serum against African bee stings.
Evolution
Prevention
The best way to protect yourself against a possible African bee attack is: