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Rachel V Thomas

Changing Climatic Conditions Driving Bee Sting Deaths In Assam: ICMR Scientist

Changes in environmental conditions are driving <span>bee sting deaths</span> in India’s northeastern state Assam, warned a scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research (<span>ICMR</span>). 

While rare and preventable, Assam sees about 15–20 deaths every year due to bee envenomation, Dr. Surajit Giri, a snakebite specialist and researcher with the ICMR Zero Snakebite Death Project, was quoted as saying to The Sentinel. 

"A massive bee attack can cause instant death. Although Assam does not have accurate statistics, various sources suggest that approximately 15–20 people die every year in the state from such incidents. Importantly, many of these deaths are preventable — if both the public and healthcare providers remain alert and informed," Dr. Giri said. 

He added that “changing environmental conditions are pushing bee attack cases” in the state. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">Bee Sting</span> Deaths In India: Why The Cases Are Rising? </h2>

In February, a 65-year-old umpire died while several players were injured after a swarm of bees attacked them during a cricket match in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district. 

In 2025, a 62-year-old man in Kolkata’s Durgapur died after being stung by a swarm of bees 890 times. There are several such cases being reported from different parts of the country.

The mounting cases are an ecological warning and is directly linked to environmental stress, Dr. Ankit Upadhyaya, an entomologist at the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, was quoted as saying to the Hindustan Times. 

“Bees are struggling to find food,” he explained, even as "soaring temperatures and erratic rainfall" due to climate change have severely disrupted the “flowering cycle". 

Fewer blooms mean nectar shortages, which leave bee colonies "starved, hypersensitive and primed for defense". 

In such a scenario, disturbance by pedestrians, by traffic, by construction, and by birds results in aggression. 

<h2>What Happens In Case Of A Bee Sting? How To Treat </h2>

A 2021 study, published in the BMJ Case Reports, explained that a bee sting typically leads to anaphylaxis -- a severe, rapid, and potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction occurring within seconds or minutes of exposure to venom. 

<ul><li>acute renal (Kidney) failure, </li><li>intravascular coagulation (abnormal blood clotting), </li><li>rhabdomyolysis (rapid skeletal muscle breakdown) </li><li>acute pulmonary oedema (excess fluid buildup in lungs)</li></ul> 

Dr. Giri said that a bee sting can turn fatal rapidly because stingers left in the skin continue to inject venom slowly even after the attack ends. He urged the need to sensitize healthcare workers, especially those working in rural areas, about medication for bee sting patients. 

Dr. Giri advised that if anyone gets caught in a bee attack: 

<ul><li>Do not jump into a water body as bees will continue to wait above the surface. </li><li>Seek shelter in dense vegetation </li><li>Use fingernails to remove stingers, opposite to their angle of entry. </li><li>Do not squeeze or forcefully pull stingers, as this can inject more venom. </li><li>Wash affected areas gently with soap and water, </li><li>Seek medical care immediately, </li><li>Remain under observation for at least 24 hours.</li></ul>

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Changes in environmental conditions are driving bee sting deaths in India’s northeastern state Assam, warned a scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  While rare and preventable, Assam sees about 15–20 deaths every year due to bee envenomation, Dr. Surajit Giri, a snakebite specialist and researcher with the ICMR Zero Snakebite Death Project, was quoted as saying to The Sentinel.  "A massive bee attack can cause instant death. Although Assam does not have accurate statistics, various sources suggest that approximately 15–20 people die every year in the state from such incidents. Importantly, many of these deaths are preventable — if both the public and healthcare providers remain alert and informed," Dr. Giri said.  He added that “changing environmental conditions are pushing bee attack cases” in the state.  Bee Sting Deaths In India: Why The Cases Are Rising?  In February, a 65-year-old umpire died while several players were injured after a swarm of bees attacked them during a cricket match in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district.  In 2025, a 62-year-old man in Kolkata’s Durgapur died after being stung by a swarm of bees 890 times. There are several such cases being reported from different parts of the country. The mounting cases are an ecological warning and is directly linked to environmental stress, Dr. Ankit Upadhyaya, an entomologist at the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, was quoted as saying to the Hindustan Times.  “Bees are struggling to find food,” he explained, even as "soaring temperatures and erratic rainfall" due to climate change have severely disrupted the “flowering cycle".  Fewer blooms mean nectar shortages, which leave bee colonies "starved, hypersensitive and primed for defense".  In such a scenario, disturbance by pedestrians, by traffic, by construction, and by birds results in aggression.  What Happens In Case Of A Bee Sting? How To Treat  A 2021 study, published in the BMJ Case Reports, explained that a bee sting typically leads to anaphylaxis -- a severe, rapid, and potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction occurring within seconds or minutes of exposure to venom.  Other major complications include acute renal (Kidney) failure, intravascular coagulation (abnormal blood clotting), rhabdomyolysis (rapid skeletal muscle breakdown) acute pulmonary oedema (excess fluid buildup in lungs) Dr. Giri said that a bee sting can turn fatal rapidly because stingers left in the skin continue to inject venom slowly even after the attack ends. He urged the need to sensitize healthcare workers, especially those working in rural areas, about medication for bee sting patients. Dr. Giri advised that if anyone gets caught in a bee attack: Do not jump into a water body as bees will continue to wait above the surface. Seek shelter in dense vegetation Use fingernails to remove stingers, opposite to their angle of entry. Do not squeeze or forcefully pull stingers, as this can inject more venom. Wash affected areas gently with soap and water, Seek medical care immediately, Remain under observation for at least 24 hours.

changing climatic conditions driving bee sting deaths in assam: icmr scientist

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Changing Climatic Conditions Driving Bee Sting Deaths In Assam: ICMR Scientist

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Changing Climatic Conditions Driving Bee Sting Deaths In Assam: ICMR Scientist

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