Elderly couple die of wasp bites

Tenkasi: An elderly couple died and three of their relatives were hospitalised after being stung by wasps at a temple near Sengottai in Tenkasi district on Monday.Officials identified the deceased as Lakshmanan, 82, and Magarasi, 79. The couple, along with their relatives, visited a temple at Seevanallur near Sengottai. The group then went to the ‘annadhanam' feast organized at the temple. At that time, wasps swarmed the venue and stung five people, including the couple. All of them were rushed to Tenkasi GH, but Lakshmanan and Magarasi died without responding to treatment. Officials suspect someone could have disturbed a wasps' nest on a coconut tree nearby. Others at the venue panicked and ran away. Tenkasi GH medical superintendent Dr R Jesline told TOI that two of the three patients under treatment are in a stable condition at the hospital while one patient who had suffered a cardiac arrest but was revived has been referred to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital."In rare cases, venom of wasps can cause increased clotting of blood which in turn can lead to complications including cardiac arrest by blocking blood vessels by thrombosis. The couple may have died due to such complications especially considering their age," the doctor added.