A woman in Puning, Guangdong, developed rapid-onset anaphylaxis—including taste loss, tachycardia, and thirst—two minutes after being bitten on the neck by a red fire ant. She received emergency treatment and recovered.

Social Context

Red fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), invasive since 2004, are classified as a Class II agricultural pest under China’s Biosecurity Law. Guangdong’s 2023 surveillance data shows rising bite incidents in rural-urban fringe areas, triggering province-wide public health alerts and standardized epinephrine distribution protocols for clinics.

Safety Tip

Carry an epinephrine auto-injector if allergic to hymenoptera; avoid walking barefoot in grassy or sandy areas where mounds are visible—seek immediate care for swelling beyond bite site.