SGGPO
The caterpillar contains the extremely toxic substance cantharidin that cannot be decomposed even when processed at high temperatures.
Lang Son General Hospital has just received 3 emergency cases (1 person in Van Lang district, Lang Son and 2 people in An Thi district, Hung Yen) in a state of agitation, severe pain in the lower abdomen and both sides of the waist, vomiting blood, blistering of the tongue mucosa. The patients' relatives said that 6 hours before being admitted to the emergency room, these 3 people had eaten 4-5 insects of unknown species.
After eating, the patient showed the above symptoms and was taken to the emergency room by his family. After performing tests and identifying the type of insect the patient's family brought, the doctors diagnosed that the patient was poisoned by eating caterpillars, leading to multiple organ failure. Immediately, the patients were treated according to the Ministry of Health's poisoning protocol and transferred to the Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital; of which 2 patients had a very serious prognosis and required emergency dialysis.
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Image of caterpillar provided to doctor by patient's family |
The caterpillar resembles a stink bug in appearance but contains a highly toxic substance called cantharidin that cannot be broken down even when cooked at high temperatures. After eating the caterpillar, cantharidin comes into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, causing damage similar to chemical burns and the risk of developing into an infection. Poisoning from eating caterpillars is rare but very severe and difficult for doctors to treat. Most cases of caterpillar poisoning result in death.
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