Saturday, February 8, 2025

Swatting a Fly Costs Man His Eye: What Happened?

SCMP

A Chinese man lost one eye after swatting a fly with his bare hand on his eyelid.

Swatting a moth fly with his hand led to a bacterial infection… Eye removed to prevent infection

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Mr. Wu, who lives in Shenzhen, southern Guangdong province, was recently swarmed by a drain fly around his face. When the fly landed on his left eyelid, he instinctively swatted it with his hand and inadvertently rubbed his eye with the same hand.

About an hour later, his left eye became red and swollen, and he experienced severe pain. When he went to the hospital, he was diagnosed with seasonal conjunctivitis.

Despite taking medication, his condition deteriorated, and his vision dropped to 0.02. He also developed severe ulcers around his eye.

Eventually, the medical team removed his left eye to prevent the bacteria from spreading to his brain.

There have been previous cases of infections caused by drain flies in China. In October 2018, a 97-year-old woman in Shandong province, eastern China, developed a secondary infection after a drain fly landed on her wound.

Meanwhile, the fly that Mr. Wu swatted is commonly found in dark, damp drains, bathtubs, and sinks. It is known to carry many bacteria.

“Don’t swat insects near your eyes with your hands; instead, chase them away and take preventive measures.”

According to the Hygienic Insect Classification Information Book published by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, drain flies appear from April to November, with peak activity in May and June. During the day, they rest on the walls of humid bathrooms where sunlight does not reach.

Drain flies have spread in South Korea, but no infections have been reported. The primary issue is their persistent presence, which necessitates ongoing control efforts. Moth fly eggs are tiny—approximately 0.2 mm (0.0079 inches)—which makes them difficult to detect. Furthermore, these flies mature into adults in about two weeks, allowing for rapid population growth if not managed early.

Drain flies congregate in damp places, such as bathroom floors, sink drains, and wall crevices, where their larvae feed on accumulated bacteria and organic matter.

To eliminate drain flies, it’s crucial to target the larvae first. They cannot survive temperatures above 29°C (84.2°F) or in dry conditions with humidity below 58%.

Regularly pouring boiled water over 60°C (143.6°F) down the drain can effectively kill larvae. It’s also crucial to thoroughly clean drains and walls to prevent the buildup of organic matter, or slime, which serves as food for the larvae. Use bleach and a cleaning brush to scrub every corner. Additionally, ventilating the bathroom frequently to keep it dry can help prevent future infestations.

Another method is to spray insecticide where drain flies are present. Pyrethroid-based insecticides are commonly used to eliminate drain flies. However, avoid excessive inhalation of insecticides. If spraying in a confined space like a bathroom, ventilate it thoroughly before re-entering. If the insecticide gets on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap. If it gets into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with running water for about 20 minutes as soon as possible.

Hot this week

After the Holidays, Beware: Intense Workouts Could Accelerate Aging

Excessive exercise can increase reactive oxygen species, accelerating aging, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help counteract this effect.

Nvidia Surges 5.4%, While Tesla Drops 3.6% in Latest Market Moves

Wall Street sees gains with Nvidia soaring while Tesla and Alphabet stocks tumble amid tariff concerns and disappointing earnings.

Michael Jordan’s Son Arrested for Drunk Driving and Drug Possession in Florida

Marcus Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, was arrested for DUI and cocaine possession after fleeing police in Florida.

Goldman Sachs Sees Little Disruption in Energy Prices from Tariffs on U.S. Goods

Goldman Sachs forecasts minimal impact on energy prices from China's tariffs on U.S. goods and Canadian crude oil this year.

Health Crisis Hits Former Chancellor Schröder as He Misses Key Nord Stream Testimony

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is hospitalized for burnout symptoms amid investigations into his role in the Nord Stream project.

Topics

After the Holidays, Beware: Intense Workouts Could Accelerate Aging

Excessive exercise can increase reactive oxygen species, accelerating aging, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help counteract this effect.

Nvidia Surges 5.4%, While Tesla Drops 3.6% in Latest Market Moves

Wall Street sees gains with Nvidia soaring while Tesla and Alphabet stocks tumble amid tariff concerns and disappointing earnings.

Michael Jordan’s Son Arrested for Drunk Driving and Drug Possession in Florida

Marcus Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, was arrested for DUI and cocaine possession after fleeing police in Florida.

Goldman Sachs Sees Little Disruption in Energy Prices from Tariffs on U.S. Goods

Goldman Sachs forecasts minimal impact on energy prices from China's tariffs on U.S. goods and Canadian crude oil this year.

Health Crisis Hits Former Chancellor Schröder as He Misses Key Nord Stream Testimony

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is hospitalized for burnout symptoms amid investigations into his role in the Nord Stream project.

Trade War Fears Subside as Wall Street Makes Strong Comeback

Wall Street bounced back after a three-day slump, driven by tech stocks and optimism over trade negotiations despite ongoing tariff concerns.

U.S. Keeps Close Watch on Korean Immigrants Amid Deportation Concerns

The U.S. State Department is providing consular assistance to Korean nationals arrested during Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.

Anthropic’s New AI Tool Blocks Jailbreaks and Harmful Content

AI companies enhance censorship to prevent "jailbreaking," with Anthropic introducing a constitutional classifier to block harmful content.

Related Articles