Spider attacks leave 2 dead, panic villagers in India

[font size="1"]A spider suspected of being a new species of tarantula were first noticed about a month ago across Tinsukia district's grassy plains and dense jungle forests north of the Brahmaputra River in India.
AP FILE PHOTO[/font]


GAUHATI, INDIA—Large biting spiders have sparked panic in remote northeast India, but health authorities fear primitive treatment of the bites' painful swelling may be more dangerous than the spiders themselves.

Two people died in Tinsukia district after witch doctors used razor blades to drain the wounds. It's not known if the victims died from spider poison or from the attempted treatment. Local magistrate Kishore Thakuria said the victims were cremated before autopsies could be done.

Another seven bite victims have been treated with antibiotics against infection after they also tried themselves to drain their wounds, said Dr. Anil Phapowali at the local Sadiya town hospital.

The hairy spiders were noticed about a month ago across Tinsukia district's grassy plains and dense jungle forests north of the Brahmaputra River. .......................(more)

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