Warning over deadly Asian hornets seen in UK: I’m a doctor and here’s how much harm a single sting can do to you

A doctor has explained the risks the killer hornet can pose to the human body –  amid fresh sightings of the terrifying creature in the UK. 

Fears of a potential invasion have grown since the Asian hornet was discovered in Plymouth last Sunday. 

The sightings prompted an official warning for the public to be ‘on guard’ to help prevent the spread of the species.  

Since 2016, there have been a total of 28 sightings in the UK, and five are confirmed to have happened this year. The figure includes a total of 14 nests, which were all destroyed, according to the government website. 

Posting to his TikTok account, Dr Karan Raj warned of the potential dangers the critter can cause – and how one sting could be fatal to the human body. 

A doctor has explained the risks the killer hornet can pose to the human body, as fresh sightings of the terrifying creature emerge in the UK

According to Dr Karan Raj, the sting could be fatal to the human body, and could result in temporary paralysis 

The Asian hornet has a quarter inch stinger, and, according to Dr Raj: ‘Can inject a venom called mandarotoxin, which is a neurotoxin and affects the nervous system.’ 

The doctor explained that this can cause temporary paralysis and a loss of sensation in the place where you are stung.  

The doctor continued: ‘It is also a necrotoxin, which means it can cause cell death and, to someone who is allergic to the venom it can be lethal.’

He added that those who are allergic to the sting can suffer from anaphylactic shock which may result in swelling of the eyes, mouth and throat. 

On his TikTok account, the doctor explained that the hornet can inject a venom called mandarotoxin, which is a neurotoxin and affects the nervous system

For those who are allergic to the venom, the sting could lead to anaphylactic shock which may result in swelling of the eyes, mouth and throat

It may also lead to severe breathing problems and a sharp drop in blood pressure, which could result in cardiac arrest.  

Dr Raj said: ‘The venom from multiple stings can cause kidney failure, which can eventually result in multi-organ failure. 

While the Asian hornet has not killed any people in the UK this year, the killer creature reportedly causes 30 to 50 deaths per year in Japan. 

The doctor also highlighted that the Asian hornets are a threat to the honeybee population in the UK. 

Since it was posted, the video has received over 66,000 likes and Dr Raj has had hundreds of comments from terrified TikTokers. 

One user wrote: ‘Petition for them to go extinct,’ another said: ‘Yiiikess.’

Another claimed: ‘I got stung by one and couldn’t walk on my right leg for three days.’

This could could also lead to severe breathing problems and a sharp drop in blood pressure, which could result in cardiac arrest – or worse, kidney failure

According to Dr Raj, if a person who is allergic to the Asian hornet is stung, it could eventually end in multi-organ failure

Insect experts have also warned of the threat of the killer hornets to bees, and are now calling on the public to report any sightings.

Asian hornets, which are smaller than the UK’s native hornets, prey on honeybees and therefore pose a major threat to honeybee populations. 

The experts from DEFRA, warned people not to approach any potential nests due to the dangers the black and yellow hornets pose.

According to Defra’s Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Nicola Spencer, Asian hornets do not generally pose any more of a threat to humans than native British wasps or hornets, but show aggression if their nests are disturbed. 

The Natural History Museum also warns that the hornet can inject more venom per sting, it said: ‘The stinger is long enough to puncture thick, protective clothing, such as the kind normally worn by beekeepers.’

What makes them more lethal, the website explained, is that they will recruit other hornets and attack as a group. 

The quality of venom that can be injected through multiple stings can be dangerous to young children and those with existing health conditions.