There has been reports of Red back spider spotting cases in Dubai before, and no need for extra panicking, explained Dubai Municipality in a recent press statement.
No need to extra panicking. We had cases before and we were and are prepared for any possible case of spider bite. Red backs are dangerous if the bite victim is left untreated, so timely and proper treatment is needed when incidents happen said A.K.M. Motahar Hussain, pest management specialist at Public Health Services Department of Municipality.
When any bite case happens, make sure that the victim is hospitalized soon. All our government hospitals are equipped with medicines and treatment for that. He added.
He said according to Dubai Municipality records noticed red back spiders presence has been reported in Dubai since 1990.
There is no proper information how they have gotten to be here. But their presence in Dubai happens presumably through imported items like plants or other similar items from abroad, he said.
He cleared that Municipality did not receive any complaint regarding the matter these days, but had several complaints couple of years before.
Through investigations followed the complaints that time Municipality experts had confirmed presence of its nests and British Museum London had identified them.
After the confirmations, Pest Control Section at civic body had prepared special leaflets for public awareness with detailed information about the spider.
As part of controlling mechanism, DM even had trained some registered private pest control companies.
They are not aggressive by habit. They bite in defence only when disturbed he said while asked about the nature of the reed back spiders.
On what to do just after a possible bite incident he said: first of all try to let the victim be calm. Secondly, apply ice bag on the bite and drive the victim safely to the nearest hospital
He warned not to make tight bandages on or about the wound and stressed the importance of producing specimen of spider, if could, before the doctor, for better and accurate treatment to start.
For further information:Bishruddeen K Mohammed Ali
Media Officer
Media Section
Corporate Marketing & Relations Department
Dubai Municipality
+971 206 04 4654
+971 4 2232188
+971528386166
bkmohamed@dm.gov.ae
Press Release 2013
