The Ministry of Public Health says that spiders of different species are common insects in the country, and coexist in farming areas, houses, vacant lots and others. The Ministry, nevertheless, says people should seek medical care in the case of a suspected insect bite that becomes infected.
Vice Minister of Collective Health Eladio Perez said at the Wednesday, 31 August 2022 Ministry of Public health press conference that insect bites are not a reason to panic.
Brinio Herrera, insects expert from the Ministry of Environment, in charge of the Biosecurity Division, said that spiders bite happens accidentally when the person comes in direct contact with the insect. He said the suspicion of the entry of the brown recluse spider on a ship from Brazil has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Angel Solis, national manager of Entomology of the Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases Transmitted by Vectors and Zoonosis (Cecovez), explained that the department maintains active surveillance.
Dr. Gina Estrella, director of Risk and Disaster Attention, said that in case of an infected bite, scratching needs to be avoided and treatment sought to avoid an infection. She recommended that persons working in areas where there may be these insects to use skin repellents.
Meanwhile, Noticias SIN carries the story of a young man in Bonao who suspects a poisonous spider bit him on 4 August 2022.
The Ministry of Environment urged that any suspect insect be collected and brought to the Ministry or that the person see a doctor for adequate treatment.
Isabela Hernández Rodríguez, in charge of the Exotic Species Department at the Ministry of Environment stated in a Ministry of Environment press release: “Remember that spiders in general are beneficial, they are not aggressive, they are not a threat and serve as biological control of many insects and invertebrates that can become pests and also serve as food for many species of amphibians, lizards, birds, among others.”
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Noticias SIN
Ministry of Environment
Hoy
1 September 2022