BMJ  2006;333:278 (5 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7562.278-a

News

Two Albanians die from black widow spider bites

Rudina Hoxha

Tirana

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

At least two people have died from spider bites in Albania, as health officials investigate claims that one of the more venomous species of black widow spider has gained a foothold in southern Europe.


Figure Removed (Available Only in the Full Text)
 One of the more venomous species of the black widow spider is apparently now in southern Europe

Credit: INGO ARNDT/NATUREPL

 

Several species of black widow, including Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, are already found around the Mediterranean, but Albanian officials believe that rising temperatures have created the perfect conditions for one of the other widow species.

The Albanian media claim that four people have died in the north of the country after black widow bites, although health officials have so far confirmed that only two of the alleged deaths were from black widow bites.

The news has led to hundreds of people visiting emergency wards to have insect bites checked.

Several hundred doses of antidote for the spider . . . [Full text of this article]


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