ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Thousands of EpiPens and other medical supplies are being distributed across the Tar Heel State as North Carolina braces for an increase in bee stings in the wake of Hurricane Helen.
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee were among the hardest hit when Helen passed through the region more than a week ago, dumping several feet of rain and damaging winds.
The Category 4 cyclone uprooted trees and transformed the landscape, impacting not only humans but also wildlife and insects.
North Carolina has a large population of bees, so health officials warn about the possibility of encounters with them, especially during the recovery period.
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, there are more than 500 species of bees, many of which are used to produce honey.
Unfortunately, hurricanes may have disturbed hives and hives, increasing the insect's defenses.
According to medical experts, at least 2 million Americans are allergic to bee stings.
In the most severe cases, the sting can cause a phenomenon known as anaphylactic shock, which requires the administration of epinephrine and medical treatment.
direct reliefThe humanitarian organization announced it has helped supply more than 2,000 EpiPen syringes to care centers in North Carolina to help deal with potential bee stings.
Beekeepers warn that insects naturally mount more defenses in the fall as they protect their hives before hibernating.
According to Cleveland Clinic Medical Expertsthere are steps you can take to reduce your risk of being stung by a bee.
We recommend taking steps to reduce bee attraction, such as removing food from the outdoors, wearing protective clothing, and using unscented or non-flower products.
The Helen disaster left more than 200 people dead in seven states, with dozens still missing.
So far, authorities have not recorded any fatalities from the stabbings, which typically kill about 100 people a year in the country.
Emergency managers said most of the deaths from the storm were due to drowning and falling trees.
