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Project No.4-419-0381 August 29,2019 Page No. 18 One of the most serious biological hazards that SALEM employees and their subcontractors may encounter while working are Africanized honey bees. The Africanized honeybee is closely related to the European honeybee, which is used in agriculture for crop pollination and honey production. The two types of bees look the same and their behavior is similar in many respects.Neither is likely to sting when gathering nectar and pollen from flowers,but both will sting in defense if provoked.An individual Africanized bee can sting only once and has the same venom as the European honeybee. However, Africanized honeybees are less predictable and more defensive than European honeybees. They are more likely to defend a greater area around their nest, and they respond faster and in greater numbers than the European honeybee. Single Stings Stingers are effective weapons because they deliver venom that causes pain when injected into the skin. The major chemical responsible for the pain of a honey bee sting is called melting; it stimulates the nerve endings of pain receptors in the skin. The result is a very painful sensation, which begins as a sharp pain that lasts a few minutes and then becomes a dull ache. Even up to a few days later, the tissue may still be sensitive to the touch. The body responds to stings by liberating fluid from the blood to flush venom components from the area. This causes redness and swelling at the sting site. If this is not the first time that the person has been stung by that species of insect, it is likely that the immune system will recognize the venom and enhance the disposal procedure. This can lead to very large swelling around the sting site or in a whole portion of the body. The area is quite likely to itch. Oral and topical antihistamines should help prevent or reduce the itching and swelling. Try not to rub or scratch the sting site,because microbes from the surface of the skin could be introduced into the wound and result in an infection. When the sting is caused by a honeybee,the stinger usually remains in the skin when the insect leaves because the stinger is barbed. Remove the stinger as quickly as possible because venom continues to enter the skin from the stinger for 45 to 60 seconds following a sting.Much has been written about the proper way to remove a bee stinger,but new information indicates that it doesn't matter how you get it out as long as it is removed as soon as possible.If removed within 15 seconds of the sting,the severity of the sting is reduced. After the stinger is removed,wash the wound and treat it. Several over-the-counter products or simply a cold compress can be used to alleviate the pain of a sting.Aerosol or cream antihistamine preparations that contain a skin coolant can also help.If the sting is followed by severe symptoms,or if it occurs on the neck or mouth, seek medical attention immediately because swelling in these areas of the body can cause suffocation. Anaphylaxis A small percentage of the population is allergic to wasp or bee stings. If you suspect that you or a fellow worker might be allergic or is developing an allergy, go to a physician or allergist for testing. Allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings can develop anywhere on the body and may include non-life-threatening reactions such as hives, swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and headaches. Life-threatening reactions such as shock, dizziness, unconsciousness, difficulty in breathing, and laryngeal blockage resulting from swelling in the throat require immediate medical care. Symptoms can begin immediately following the sting or up to 30 minutes later and may last for hours. In allergic persons,venom components circulating in the body combine with antibodies that are associated with mast cells resting on vital organs. The mast cells release histamine and other biologically active substances. This results in a leakage of fluid out of the blood and into the body tissues. Blood pressure drops dangerously low and fluid builds up in the lungs. If this response is not reversed within a short time, the patient may die of anaphylactic shock. SALEM engineering group. inc.