OUTBREAK

Scorpions, spiders, snakes ... in urban environments. An incredible combination, but, as it turns out, quite possible. A total of 106 attacks of snakes, scorpions and spiders on people were registered in Azerbaijan from the beginning of summer until 27 July, while 82 such cases were recorded in the same period in 2011. According to the Ministry of Health, 80 per cent of such incidents are snake attacks. Scorpions and spiders account for the rest. Thus, 33 people have applied to the Baku ambulance station this summer after being stung by scorpions. The latest incident occurred in the Xocasan settlement of the Binagadi district of the capital when a scorpion stung a 50-year-old man outside his house. Interestingly, the greatest resonance among all scorpion and snake attacks was caused by what happened to a 4-year-old girl who was bitten by a snake in her home (Yasamal district). The media, without knowing all the circumstances, reported that the girl was bitten by a viper. But it transpired that it was an ordinary water snake whose bites are not lethal.

So what is the cause of the hitherto unprecedented intensification of "creepers" in the capital? According to a candidate of biological sciences and expert on scorpions, Eyvaz Usubov, the years of studies indicate that these animals exhibit understandable aggression during fertilization, which occurs from July to August. "And if you disturb them during this period, you may be stung."

There are very different scorpion habitats in Azerbaijan - from the seaside to the mountains, and they are represented by the Buthidae family which comprises three species of two genera.

These are yellow, mottled and black scorpions. The yellow scorpions are found in Baku more often. Depending on the habitat, they may have a different color. Particularly dangerous is the venom of black scorpions, but they are quire rare in the Abseron Peninsula. Black scorpions live only in a handful of regions of the country and their number is very low. There are also mottled scorpions. There are four geographical populations of mottled scorpions within Azerbaijan: Abseron-Sirvan, Talis, Naxcivan and the Island. In general, the bites of scorpions living, for example, in Russia, the Crimea, the Caucasus and Central Asia are equivalent to bee stings. These species are only 6 cm large with the tail. Most widespread in human dwellings are yellow scorpions, while black scorpions go into the burrows of rodents or under large rocks for the winter.

Scorpion asylums 

Where can one come across a scorpion? They often choose people's clothes as a shelter if they have got into someone's house or apartment. And it is not surprising that these insects can now be found in urban environments. According to the expert, scorpions love to hide in rocky crevices, and since there is extensive construction in the capital, their rest is often disrupted and they are forced to look for other hideouts. In their search, they can wander into human dwellings through the balconies and windows. For example, they have been found even on the fourth floor of modern type buildings. The height of a building is not an obstacle for them. To prevent scorpion bites, Usubov recommends shaking the beds and shoes, turning out pockets of clothes, especially if a home is located in a suburban or agricultural area. Some scorpions prefer mud and dilapidated buildings. "Scorpions also like to hide under the seats of cars, furniture, carpets. They do not like bright light, but they are still attracted to it at night."

Interesting facts about Caucasian scorpions were provided by the famous author of "The Three Musketeers", Alexandre Dumas the elder. Here is what he wrote after visiting Baku in 1858: "Scorpions in the Caucasus are the same as in Europe. Red scorpions are more dangerous than yellow ones, while black scorpions are the most dangerous. During our stay in Baku, although it was November and the weather was relatively cold, we could always find scorpions under the large stones on the southern side of the city wall."

But we should not launch an anti-scorpion campaign because they have a role in the ecological balance of the environment. Being predators, having a significant number and wide distribution in the ecosystems of warm and temperate latitudes, they certainly play a role in suppressing the population of some crop pests. In addition, the chemical composition and the effect of scorpion poison are of great scientific and practical interest. "Scorpion poison has a number of unique properties that allow it to be used as a 'tool' in biological research," says the expert.

The Ministry of Health also believes that "creeper" attacks have intensified due to human encroachments on their habitats in the form of extensive construction in the suburbs of Baku. The extremely hot weather this summer has also played a role. The Health Ministry does not rule out the possibility of accidental importation of snakes during the transportation of building materials or other cargo. In the countryside such cases also occur in connection with the construction of new sites, during agricultural operations and in areas where rivers burst their banks.

While scorpions, as it turns out, are a normal occurrence for Absheron, the spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, or the "black widow", is a newly arrived insect from Uzbekistan. Its bites can be lethal if medical assistance is not provided on time. Fortunately, people have been saved in all 12 cases of "black widow" attacks. The Ministry of Health has said that agreement has been reached with Uzbekistan on the delivery of an antidote and this serum has already been delivered to Azerbaijan. Although local bases do have a supply of sera against snake venom, new batches of sera for snake, spider and scorpion stings will still be delivered.

How to protect oneself?

A source from the Health Ministry stressed that most cases of snake, spider and scorpion attacks in Azerbaijan involved people engaged in farming activity. One can also step on a spider or disturb a snake while on a picnic in a forest. It is advisable to adhere to rules that do not provoke an attack, because snakes, spiders and scorpions do not attack people out of a whim. While vacationing in the country, it is necessary to avoid getting your fingers and feet in the crevices of rocks and stones. One shouldn't "storm" such "peaks" as old trees, wood piles, piles of sawdust or grass cuttings.

If bitten by a snake, a scorpion or a "black widow", one should immediately seek medical care. Prior to the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to treat the bite with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, place it in a fixed position and apply some ice. The cooling will slow down the absorption of venom. Painful symptoms can be facilitated by regular painkillers. It is not recommended to harness the wound or make an incision trying to manually remove the poison because this may only speed up its effect!