Hornets Attack by Addison Jordan

Summary: In the last three months, deadly hornets in China’s central Shaanxi province have killed at least 19 people. “A total of 583 people have been stung by hornets since July 1^st” says city officials, and lots of victims are still recovering from their attacks.

            Chen Changlin was hospitalized after being attacked by hornets, while harvesting rice last week. "I ran and shouted for help, but the hornets chased me about 200 meters, and stung me for more than 3 minutes," he recounted. Chen said hornets had first swarmed a woman and child working nearby, who then ran towards him. Both later died from the hornets' toxins.

            The more you run, the more they want to chase you," said another victim.  After examining his body, his kidneys were filled with venom and his urine was the color of soy sauce.

            Earlier in the month, there was a hornet attack that involved 30 people.  Sadly enough, 23 of these victims were school children. The attack happened in Guangxi province, south of Shaanxi. In this attack a teacher tried to drive the hornets in another direction while the kids hid under tables.

            Experts believe the reasons for the increased hornet activity are due to, the region's recent hot, dry weather, land development, and hornet sensitivity to the smell of people. Vice Mayor Lu Qi said he would increase investment in regional hornet control. Mayor Xu Qifang added that the city would establish a 24-hour emergency hornet response team.

Analysis: In situations like these, there isn’t much you can do. It is very unfortunate that this would happen to these people, but all living creatures are just parts of nature. I am very lucky to have never been stung by a hornet and it is something I never want to experience.

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/27/world/asia/china-asian-hornet-deaths/index.html?hpt=wo_c2