Spread of poisonous caterpillars a health risk

Increased spread of poisonous caterpillars

07/19/2011

Impending health problems caused by caterpillars. The oak processionary moths are currently spreading in Hamburg. The allergenic caterpillars were removed from twelve trees in the Hamburg district of Winterhude, the authorities report.

The fine hairs, the oak procession moth removed from the trees in Hamburg, are not only a danger for the infested trees whose leaves almost completely erode the caterpillars, but can lead to severe allergic reactions, especially in allergic persons through skin contact or inhalation. Therefore, the massive distribution of caterpillars is considered by the authorities with concern and, where appropriate, with an elimination of the caterpillar nests (Gespinste) responded.

Burnt hair of the caterpillars cause allergic reactions
In particular, allergy sufferers should be careful with the Eichenprozessionsspinner, because it threatens violent allergic reactions, respiratory problems and weeks of itching to anaphylactic shocks warn the authorities. The tiny so-called burning hairs of the caterpillars bite on contact with the skin and bite off an albuminous toxin that can cause severe allergies in humans. Skin rashes, itching and unpleasant burning of the skin are possible consequences of contact with the burning hairs of the oak processionary spinners. The hairs of the caterpillars can travel long distances through the air in the wind, so that there is an increased risk of inhalation near the track nests. In this way, the stinging hairs can at worst penetrate deeply into the lungs, causing bronchitis, painful coughing or asthma. Twelve nests of butterfly caterpillars were therefore removed from the trees in Hamburg's Winterhude district. Other parts of the city have not been affected so far, according to the official statement.

Long-term health risks
The occurrence of the oak processionary spinners has increased significantly in recent years, not least due to the warmer climatic conditions. Today, the butterfly caterpillars are relatively widespread today in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt. Even in the federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Bavaria nests of the oak processionary spinners have been spotted in recent years, but so far in relatively small numbers. In order to exclude health risks for the population, the caterpillar nests in the urban area are usually removed immediately. The butterflies hatch from the nests in the period between July and September, so that the health risks of the living caterpillars are then over. But in the caterpillar nests, the so-called Gespinsten, the larvae skins with the burning hairs remain even longer after pupation, because according to the experts, the hairs have an extremely long shelf life. Thus, the old webs can represent a lasting health threat. In addition, the burning hair accumulate over the years in the environment, which threaten the long-term significant health burden for allergy, warn health authorities. (Fp)

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Picture credits: Siegfried Bellach