A neighbor of the woman alerted the officers. When they arrived at the scene, the 25-year-old was already in the hospital. The police also found the scorpion already killed. The incident occurred on October 30th, said a police spokesman.
The animal was in a package from an online mail order company and the scorpion was presumably packed in China, said the police spokesman. The woman was treated at the Marburg University Hospital. According to the police spokesman, the officers asked a relative to bring the killed scorpion there to enable doctors to better assess appropriate treatment. According to the report that the woman published on the Internet, she suffered, among other things, swelling as a result of the sting.
Scorpion stings are comparatively rare
Such cases are rare in Germany, as Andreas Stürer, clinical toxicologist and head of the Poison Information Center for Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland based at the University Hospital in Mainz, said. Of the 800,000 cases reported to the poison control center in the past 30 years, only around 132 were scorpion stings. Most patients subsequently remained symptom-free, although some experienced minor symptoms such as local swelling. Circulatory problems occur less frequently, but these could also be caused by the shock.
It was only in August that a scorpion was discovered in an apartment in the Schröck district of Marburg. A man caught the animal and then alerted the police, who took the scorpion to an animal shelter. According to an initial assessment, it was a poisonous specimen. A sting from him would have had similar effects to that of a bee, it was said at the time. It was initially unclear how the scorpion was able to get into the apartment.
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**Interview with Dr. Andreas Stürer, Clinical Toxicologist and Head of the Poison Information Center for Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Stürer. We recently heard about a concerning incident where a woman in Germany was stung by a scorpion that was delivered via mail. Can you shed some light on how rare such occurrences are in Germany?
**Dr. Stürer:** Thank you for having me. Incidents involving scorpion stings in Germany are indeed quite rare. Over the past 30 years, our poison control center has recorded around 132 cases of scorpion stings out of 800,000 reported incidents. This highlights that while the fear might be prevalent, they are not commonly encountered.
**Editor:** That’s quite a low number. What are the typical symptoms that individuals may experience from a scorpion sting?
**Dr. Stürer:** Most patients tend to remain symptom-free after a sting. However, some do experience local swelling at the site of the sting. More serious symptoms, such as circulatory issues, can occur but are less common. Often, these complications are related to the shock of being stung rather than the venom itself.
**Editor:** In the reported incident, the woman experienced swelling and was treated at the hospital. Given your expertise, how should someone respond if they are stung by a scorpion?
**Dr. Stürer:** First and foremost, it is essential to stay calm. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry near the sting site, as swelling can occur. Applying a cool compress can help alleviate discomfort. It’s crucial to seek medical attention, especially if symptoms worsen or if the individual has a pre-existing health condition that could complicate their recovery.
**Editor:** It sounds like proper handling of such situations is vital. Now, how can we prevent similar incidents, especially with online shopping becoming more common?
**Dr. Stürer:** Education is key. Consumers need to be aware of the risks associated with purchasing exotic animals. Retailers should ensure they comply with regulations regarding the sale of live animals and take necessary precautions during shipping. Additionally, awareness campaigns about safely packaging and labeling such items can help mitigate risks.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Stürer, for your insights on this rare but alarming issue. We appreciate your time and expertise.
**Dr. Stürer:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to continue raising awareness about these rare events to ensure public safety.
