Abstract
Medical conditions arising from hymenopteran sting allergy or mass envenomation are a serious health concern, particularly in austere environments. Both practicing allergists and entomological pest control personnel should consider the relevance of stinging insects when responding to problems with Hymenoptera. Recent occupational reviews of civilian deaths from insect bites and stings prompted our review of the US Air Force Mortality Registry to determine the relevance of insect stings and bites as a cause of death in the US Air Force. After reviewing over 40 years of death records we identified 23 death records, among US Air Force Active duty, guard, or retirees that arose directly from hymenopteran stings.
Highlights
Public health aspects of pest control have substantially improved since the days when flea-infested rats helped transmit the Black Death that decimated medieval Europe (Tulchinsky and Varavikova 2014)
Advancements in military medicine are striking; vector-borne diseases such as malaria were once shaping military battles, but are manageable with integrated pest control pioneered by the military (Ockenhouse et al 2005)
While hymenopteran stings are known to cause allergic reactions, their medical importance is underestimated because their venom is often more irritating than lethal and they are not known as a vector for any infectious diseases
Summary
Public health aspects of pest control have substantially improved since the days when flea-infested rats helped transmit the Black Death that decimated medieval Europe (Tulchinsky and Varavikova 2014). Advancements in military medicine are striking; vector-borne diseases such as malaria were once shaping military battles, but are manageable with integrated pest control pioneered by the military (Ockenhouse et al 2005). A soldier’s death from rabies called to mind the public health role of command-directed interventions to protect the health of military members (Chretien 2012). In modern times, this legacy of fleas, mosquitoes, and stray dog control makes it easy to overlook another threat envenomation from Hymenoptera (i.e., bees, wasps, and ants) or possibly other insects such as certain Lepidopteran caterpillars. While hymenopteran stings are known to cause allergic reactions, their medical importance is underestimated because their venom is often more irritating than lethal and they are not known as a vector for any infectious diseases
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