Yellowjackets and Bees Swarm in NC in Helene's Aftermath
By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Oct. 7, 2024 -- Even as folks in North Carolina continue to clean up following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, a new health danger has emerged: The massive flooding that swept away roads and towns also uprooted the underground nests of yellow jackets, bees and other stinging insects.
That has triggered a surge in swarms that attack and sting people, which in turn has prompted the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to buy Benadryl and epinephrine injections to help fill requests through hospitals, emergency medical personnel and doctors, the Associated Press reported.
Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid group, said it has already delivered more than 2,000 EpiPens to community health centers, clinics and pharmacies across the mountains of western North Carolina.
“With every disaster, we get requests for EpiPens but this one is definitely an outlier,” said Alycia Clark, Direct Relief’s chief pharmacy officer. Many of the people coming in with stings are electricians working to restore power lines and other outdoor workers, Clark told the AP.
Pharmacists in the state can also provide emergency refills for people who are already prescribed allergy medications, and the state plans to let people to buy epinephrine injections without a prescription, the AP reported.
While most people are not allergic to stings from bees and other insects, some can have a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis that can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat, weak pulse and loss of consciousness, the Mayo Clinic says.
In these situations, epinephrine should be given immediately. Being stung more than a dozen times can also cause a buildup of venom in the body that can trigger dizziness, fever, convulsions or vomiting.
Wearing long-sleeved, light-colored clothing that has a smooth finish, along with avoiding perfumes and smelly soaps and deodorants, can lower the chances of being stung.
What should folks do tp avoid getting stung?
If there’s only one around, stay calm and still, and don't swat at it. But if several are stinging, experts say it’s better to quickly get indoors or to a shaded area because bees, especially, release a chemical when they sting that draws other bees.
Sources
- Associated Press
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2024
Read this next
What Are The Best Treatments For Chronic Hives?
FRIDAY, July 18, 2025 — Hives can drive a person crazy, covering parts of the body with maddeningly itchy welts. Now, a new evidence review has identified the most...
Bread Sold at Walmart, Kroger Recalled for Hazelnut Allergy
MONDAY, July 14, 2025 — A popular brand of bread sold at Walmart, Kroger and other stores has been recalled in 12 U.S. states due to undeclared hazelnuts. Hartford Bakery...
Household Mold Can Trigger Lung Disease
MONDAY, July 14, 2025 — Household mold can be a significant trigger for a rare but potentially debilitating lung disease that can cause permanent breathing problems, a new...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.