Horsefly bites ‘could be fatal this summer’
EXPERT’S WARNING AS ANTIBIOTICS FAIL TO HALT SUPERBUGS
Stapleton break up the original fight and get attacked before he stepped in and had his mobile phone knocked to the ground.
he held Swadling’s arm and was helped by Mr Stapleton. he told Swadling he was a police officer and that he was being arrested.
however, as Swadling repeatedly tried to bite Mr McLaughlin and break free, the officer said he was forced to punch him three times. Mr McLaughlin said the force he used was no more than was necessary to protect himself and the public.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Stapleton said: “had the chief superintendent not been there I would have been very badly injured.”
Swadling, who works for a decking firm, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault after the incident, which happened after England’s World Cup match against Belgium on June 28. he also admitted damaging Mr McLaughlin’s mobile phone and failing to surrender to court.
the court heard Swadling had been given a community order days before after he had assaulted the landlord of the Greyhound pub in Belper.
Defence solicitor John Wilford said all the matters were drink-related.
Magistrates also ordered Swadling to pay £180 compensation to Mr Stapleton and £180 to Mr McLaughlin. Supt Graham McLaughlin A MEDICAL expert has warned horsefly bites could be fatal this summer as medicines stop working.
The warning has come about due to the unusually hot weather leading to more of the insects and the fact that infections are becoming increasing dangerous every year.
The levels of the blood-sucking flies is now at Mediterranean levels in the UK, the Birmingham Live website reported.
Antibiotics are failing to keep up with the evolution of superbugs, which is why experts fear this summer could see horsefly bites become infected and lead to untreatable conditions.
Professor Colin Garner, chief executive of Antibiotic Research UK (ANTRUK), said: “Here is a prime example of why we need to develop new medications fast to keep up with our changing climate and unexpected situations such as a horsefly bite epidemic.
“We have been warning for some time A symptom of a horsefly bite.
that our antibiotics are so ineffective that we could reach the situation where people will once again die from an infected scratch or bite. That tragic moment may just have come. I personally got bitten recently by a horsefly and it is very painful. I am selfmedicating with creams and an oral antihistamine tablet to ensure the bite site does not become infected.”
According to the NHS, most small but painful insect bites and stings can be treated at home with over-the-counter medication.
But itchy horsefly bites take longer to heal and can become infected, especially if scratched.
The effects of an infected horsefly bite can include a raised rash, dizziness, shortness of breath and weak and even swollen limbs.
Treatments include antihistamine and steroid creams and, in serious cases, broadspectrum antibiotics. But with bacteria in our bodies becoming more resistant to these so-called wonder drugs, doctors have been left “scrabbling around” to find the right treatment to fight infections, ANTRUK says.
Professor Garner said: “It is entirely possible in 2018 that you can die of an insect bite, not just in some hot foreign clime, but here in Britain.
“We have not invested in the kinds of antibiotics we need to keep up with everchanging bacterial infections.” The NHS advises that you see your GP immediately if an insect bite results in symptoms of an infection such as pus, increased pain, redness and swelling.