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A MIDDLE-aged man has died in Cork after a suspected severe allergic reaction to a wasp sting he sustained while cutting hedges.
It is believed the man inadvertently disturbed a wasp nest as he worked.
Before he could get away from the scene, he was stung multiple times.
The 56-year-old man went to his home outside Macroom where he complained of feeling unwell.
A short time later he collapsed and the emergency services were alerted by an alarmed relative.
Paramedics were at the scene within minutes but the man was already unresponsive.
He was treated at the scene but, despite desperate efforts to stabilise his condition, he was pronounced dead before he could be rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH).
It is feared he died from acute anaphylactic shock.
Gardaà and the Office of the Cork South Coroner were informed.
Gardaà are treating the death as a tragic accident.
The man had no underlying health conditions and it is understood he was unaware he was allergic to wasp stings.
A full post mortem examination will be conducted at CUH morgue by the State Pathologist’s Office.
On average, three in every 100 adults can suffer a life-threatening reaction if they are exposed to certain types of insect venom.
Severe allergic reactions are most common from the stings of bees and wasps.
However, reactions can also result from the bites of certain species of spiders and ants.
In the US, it is estimated that up to 7pc of the adult and juvenile population can be hypersensitive to certain types of insect stings and bites – with a high risk of anaphylactic shock.
The UK has recorded several deaths each year from such types of severe allergic reactions.
People who are known to have such allergic reactions carry an Epinephrine (EpiPen), an auto-injection device which introduces adrenaline into the system in a bid to offset the immune-system’s reaction to the sting toxins.
Beekeepers are known to be at a much higher risk of anaphylaxis.
