Rationale: Mass wasp sting incidents pose a significant public health threat, particularly to non-local tourists in scenic areas who face challenges such as unfamiliar healthcare systems and disrupted travel plans, which can compromise treatment compliance and outcomes. This study analyzes the emergency response and clinical management of such an incident to identify effective strategies for this specific population. Patient concerns: A total of 38 non-local tourists were stung by wasps at a scenic spot in Liuzhou, Guangxi. Primary patient concerns and clinical presentations included localized symptoms (redness, swelling, pain, and itching at sting sites) and systemic symptoms (dizziness, headache, anxiety, and rashes). Diagnoses: All patients were definitively diagnosed with wasp stings. Severity was classified according to the Chinese Expert Consensus on Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Wasp Stings, resulting in 33 mild cases (≤10 stings) and 5 moderate cases (>10 stings with systemic symptoms). Interventions: A multi-departmental emergency response was activated, involving the 120 dispatch center, fire department, and the hospital’s toxicology treatment center, achieving a median hospital arrival time of 35 minutes. Standardized in-hospital treatment included local wound management (iodine disinfection and wet compresses with dexamethasone and lidocaine), systemic therapy (IV dexamethasone, oral Jidesheng snake antivenom tablets, IM tetanus antitoxin), supportive care (hydration, oxygen), and proactive telephone follow-ups on days 3 and 7 post-discharge. Outcomes: All 38 patients recovered and were discharged. The median observation time was 8 hours for mild cases, while moderate cases were hospitalized for 2 days. Follow-up on day 3 revealed delayed-onset headaches or rashes in 8 patients (8/38), which completely resolved with intervention by day 7. No severe cases or fatalities occurred. Lessons: The successful outcome underscores the value of a seamless pre-hospital emergency response system and standardized clinical protocols (e.g., the “Four Duals” approach) for managing mass wasp stings. Proactive follow-up is crucial for non-local tourists to address compliance challenges and manage delayed symptoms effectively, suggesting that integrated emergency care systems and tailored patient management are key to improving outcomes in transient populations.
Huang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.