Durban, South Africa – A 36-year-old man remains in critical condition after being bitten by a venomous Chinese Red-Headed Centipede in Mhlasini, KwaZulu-Natal, last Friday. The incident occurred while the man was attempting to protect his one-month-old infant from the creature.
According to details of the event, the man was resting on his bed when he spotted the centipede close to his baby. He quickly seized the insect and placed it inside a plastic bag, planning to dispose of it outside. However, the centipede managed to bite him on his right thumb through the material of the bag.
Shortly after the bite, the man began experiencing nausea and observed swelling in his head. Emergency responders from a local reaction unit arrived at the scene around 6:22 a.m. and transported him to Osindisweni Government Hospital for treatment. While waiting at the facility, he reported feeling dizzy. After an extended delay, medical staff administered an injection and prescribed medication before discharging him.
Upon returning home, the man’s symptoms worsened, with further swelling in his head. He then consulted a private doctor, who advised urgent hospitalization. On Monday, he arrived at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, at approximately 3:30 p.m., where he was in severe pain and required a wheelchair.
Despite his condition, hospital personnel reportedly did not provide immediate care. After waiting for five hours, nurses informed him that he would only receive attention the following day. Frustrated and untreated, the man left the premises.
Photographs taken on the day of the bite show the patient appearing dizzy, while more recent images from Thursday depict significant head swelling. The centipede involved was identified as a Chinese Red-Headed species, known for its potent venom.
Health authorities have not released further updates on the man’s status, but the case highlights potential risks from encounters with venomous insects in residential areas. Residents in the region are reminded to exercise caution when handling unfamiliar creatures and to seek prompt medical help for bites.
