What happens when a massive thunderstorm occurs and animals are displaced? In mid-November 2021, Egypt’s southern city of Aswan was hit by thunderstorms and scorpions swarmed the streets. They made their way into people’s homes. Three people died and almost 500 were injured. According to USA Today, Egypt is home to the very dangerous Egyptian fat-tailed scorpion which is known as one of the deadliest varieties in the world.
The venom from scorpions contains neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, and myotoxins, causing swelling, heart problems, internal bleeding, and breathing issues. Without treatment, an adult can die within an hour. Hospitals had to administer antivenom.
Egypt’s climate is incredibly dry and arid. About two-thirds of the country is covered by the Western Desert and it only receives about .4 inches of rain per year, which is why residents weren’t prepared for huge amounts of precipitation to take over much of the country, including the busy city of Aswan. Scorpions mainly live in deserts but have adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. The vast majority of species do not represent a serious threat to humans. However, human fatalities are frequent in some parts of the world with highly venomous species, primarily in areas with limited access to medical treatment.
To find out if you have scorpions in your state visit:
https://www.angelfire.com/tx4/scorpiones/states.html
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