Uncontrolled plague attacked several people in Egypt | Here's what's known

More than 500 people were affected and three of them died.

Egypt is once again at the center of insect pests that affect the health of its citizens. This time, the animals emerged after extensive days of rain in the southern part of the country over the weekend. According to government media, the affected people amount to more than 500 and about three died.

The rains, together with the hail, have managed to bring the scorpions out of their hiding places, which led to a plague that affected the citizens of the province of Aswan, so that these animals managed to enter the homes of the inhabitants and sting them. According to Governor Ashraf Attia, those affected were discharged after receiving the antidote.

However, Khalid Abdel-Ghafar, who is the current health minister in charge, said that no deaths have been reported from the condition. It was also reported that the symptoms experienced by those who had been stung were vomiting, fever, head spasms, diarrhea, sweating, severe pain and muscle tremors.

Meanwhile, the authorities opted to distribute antidotes among the population, to avoid any death by sting, in addition to the overcrowding in health centers. These were delivered to nearby villages and deserts. Attia, also called on the public not to leave their homes or go near trees while the rains continue, as the scorpions could be anywhere.

Authorities also urged the public to check beds, the inside of shoes and also drawers, or any other items before using them, to avoid further stings.

The pest that has affected these people is the thick-tailed Arabian scorpion, one of the most dangerous species in the world. It measures approximately 10 centimeters, is generally yellow and its pincers turn out to be darker. Apparently, this species stays under rocks or is kept in crevices, so they are more likely to come out after rains. In addition, the venom of this arachnid arthropod could kill an adult within an hour.

It is estimated that in the Central Hospital of Kom Ombo there are about 118 people bitten by this animal, while the group of those affected would be distributed in the hospitals of Nasr al-Nuba, Abou Simbel, Edfu and Drau; however, a remnant of 89 people would remain in the hospital in Aswan.

According to local media, scorpions can be seen sprouting in the middle of the walls of houses, and are visible in the fields and streets. Regarding the rains, also reported flooded streets, affected houses, in addition to crops and agricultural farms in danger by rainfall.

In addition, the situation also caused power outages that affected the student population, as Governor Ashraf Attia reported that classes were cancelled over the weekend, an announcement that was echoed by local authorities. In the meantime, the staff that was pending to apply the vaccines against covid-19 was put at the disposal of the hospitals to treat all those who had bites.