Tourist bitten by deadly scorpion hiding in her jacket at Düsseldorf Airport

A tourist was bitten by a venomous scorpion that had been hiding undetected in her jacket for the entire journey at Düsseldorf Airport in Germany. The incident happened on Friday as the woman was returning from a Mediterranean holiday, German broadcaster n-tv reports.

According to experts consulted by the channel, the culprit was a Palestine yellow scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) — one of the most venomous species in the world, also known as the "deathstalker." It is yellow in colour, and its sting is considered extremely painful. Authorities have not disclosed which part of the woman's body was bitten, her nationality, or the exact location where she had been vacationing.

The scorpion sent to an animal shelter

Airport medical staff provided first aid to the tourist. After consulting invertebrate specialists, she was taken to hospital. The scorpion itself was caught and handed over to an animal shelter.

For a healthy adult, a sting from this species of scorpion is not usually fatal. However, the risk rises considerably for children and people with weakened health, especially the elderly. In the wild, this scorpion is found in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey.

Curiously, the venom of the Palestine scorpion is a highly valuable substance: according to the German outlet Bild, a litre of the venom can cost several million euros and is used in the production of medicines for serious illnesses.

Source: novinky.cz