'Red back spider bite dangerous if untreated'

Red back spiders have been spotted in Dubai before and there is really no need for the public to panic, the Dubai Municipality has said.

“No need for extra panicking. We had cases before and we were and are prepared for any possible cases of spider bite. Red backs are dangerous if the bite victim is left untreated, so timely and proper treatment is needed when such incidents happen,” said A K M Motahar Hussain, pest management specialist at the Public Health Services Department of Dubai Municipality.

“When any bite case happens, make sure that the victim is hospitalised soon. All government hospitals are equipped with medicines for red back spider bite,” he added.

According to Dubai Municipality records, the red backs have been present in the emirate since 1990.

There is no information how they could have reached here but one possibility is imported plants, he said.

He said the municipality had not received any complaints of bites by red back spiders in recent days, but had got several complaints a couple of years before.

Thorough investigations followed the complaints. Experts confirmed presence of nests of red back spiders after which the Pest Control Section of the municipality prepared special leaflets for public awareness with detailed information about the spider.

Dubai Municipality has given training to some registered private pest control companies on combatting red back spiders.

“These spiders are not aggressive by habit. They bite in defence only when disturbed,” Motahar said.

On what to do just after a bite, he said: “First of all try to calm down the victim. Then apply an ice bag on the bite and drive the victim to the nearest hospital.”

He warned against making tight bandages on or about the wound and stressed the importance of producing a specimen of the spider, if possible, before the doctor so as ensure proper medical treatment.

Picture by www.shutterstock.com

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