A woman was hospitalized over the weekend after being stung by a scorpion while retrieving her luggage at Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, when the 40-year-old woman was waiting for her luggage in the baggage claim area of customs, according to Massachusetts State Police. She was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment of the sting.
State police did not provide details about the woman’s condition or her travel itinerary prior to arriving in Boston. The investigation into how or when the scorpion ended up at the airport remains open.
Scorpion stings, while painful, are rarely life-threatening, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the U.S., bark scorpions are the only species with venom potent enough to cause serious symptoms. These scorpions, typically measuring between 1.6 to 3 inches in length, are commonly found in the desert regions of the Southwest. Globally, there are over 2,000 species of scorpions, with about 100 possessing venom strong enough to be fatal.
Symptoms of a scorpion sting can include intense pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, and warmth at the sting site. Allergic reactions are also possible and, in rare cases, can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis, similar to reactions to bee or wasp stings.
The incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected dangers that can arise, even in seemingly safe environments like an airport. The investigation into the origin of the scorpion continues.
Greg Wehner, a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.
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