First karakurt bite in Mykolaiv region: a 60-year-old woman hospitalized after being bitten on an estuary beach
Since 1995, 155 such cases have been registered in the region, three of them fatal
In the evening on the beach of the Berezan estuary near the village of Osetrivka in Mykolaiv Oblast the first bite of this season by a venomous karakurt spider was recorded: a 60-year-old woman (born in 1966) was injured and was urgently hospitalized to the toxicology department of the Mykolaiv City Emergency Hospital.
While resting the woman sat on the sand, felt a sharp sting in her thigh and saw a small black spider, after which her condition rapidly deteriorated. In less than 2 hours she was taken to the hospital, where doctors assessed her condition as of moderate severity and continue to provide all necessary care.
Experts emphasize that the karakurt is the most dangerous venomous spider in the region, and its peak activity period falls in July and August. People most often encounter adult females in the steppe zone, in gardens and summer cottages, in farm outbuildings, and also in the coastal zones of estuaries and the sea.
A karakurt bite may at first be perceived as a normal needle prick, but after approximately 15–30 minutes characteristic signs usually appear:
- intense pain in the muscles and joints;
- pain in the chest, abdomen, or lower back;
- difficulty breathing;
- rapid heartbeat;
- pronounced weakness;
- a feeling of anxiety and panic fear.
In severe cases the victim may lose the ability to walk independently, so if a bite is suspected it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance or transport the person to the hospital yourself. Until medics arrive, it is advised, if there are no contraindications, to give an antihistamine, provide warm drinks and cover the victim.
According to the regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, since 1995 there have been 155 cases of karakurt bites registered in the region. The victims ranged in age from 2 years 9 months to 88 years, with 3 fatal cases. Most often bites occurred while working in the garden or near the house, while putting on shoes, while sleeping in private homes, and also on beaches.
To reduce the risk, during recreation do not sit directly on sand or dry grass, it is better to use a groundsheet, carefully inspect the resting place, do not walk barefoot in bushes, and always shake out clothes and shoes that have been lying on the ground.
It was previously reported that the deadly karakurts have become active again in the region — residents were warned about the risks of encountering venomous spiders.
