Ahead of Chuseok, Beware of 'Hornets' During Grave Mowing and Ancestral Visits... Fire Agency Issues 'Bee Sting Alert'

32% of Deaths from Bee Stings Occur During Chuseok Weed-Cutting Work

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The National Fire Agency announced on the 3rd that it will raise the warning level for bee sting accidents from 'Advisory' to 'Alert' starting at 9 a.m. on the 4th, ahead of Chuseok.

According to the National Fire Agency, from 2017 to 2019, a total of 16,751 patients were reported to the 119 emergency medical service due to bee sting accidents, with an average of 5,584 people transported to hospitals annually.

Bee sting accidents sharply increase from July, when temperatures rise, and occur frequently until September, when outdoor activities such as weed cutting and ancestral grave visits increase. Over the past three years, 12,683 bee sting patients were recorded from July to September, accounting for 75.7% of the total. Additionally, 31 people died from bee stings during the past three years, with 26 of those deaths occurring between July and September. Among them, 10 people, or 32.3%, died while performing weed cutting work before Chuseok.

Places where bee sting accidents frequently occur include mountains, fields, and rivers, accounting for 35.7%. This was followed by residential areas (30.3%) and roadsides (10.4%). However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic reducing outdoor activities, the National Fire Agency explained that bee sting accidents at residences accounted for 36.9% as of August.

The National Fire Agency urges people not to enter areas suspected of having hornet nests immediately when cutting weeds, but to observe the surroundings for 5 to 10 minutes to check for movement. If hornets are flying back and forth at one spot, there is a high possibility of a nest nearby, and if soil clumps are piled in front of a small hole, it may be a nest of the Asian giant hornet, so caution is required.

If a beehive is found, report it to a professional beekeeper to safely remove the hive before proceeding with weed cutting or ancestral grave visits.

Also, when engaging in outdoor activities, wearing bright-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats, as well as long sleeves and long pants, can primarily defend against bee attacks. Furthermore, it is advisable to avoid strongly scented cosmetics or perfumes and sweet carbonated drinks that may attract bees.

Jang Geo-rae, head of the 119 Life Safety Division at the National Fire Agency, said, "Since the bee sting advisory was issued on the 13th of last month, there have been about 2,000 daily dispatches for hive removal and about 40 bee sting accidents daily," adding, "As the number of dispatches and accidents is expected to increase further, please exercise special caution."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.