Taichung Elementary Student Stung by Hornet; Nest Removed

A 10-year-old boy in Taichung, Taiwan, was stung by a yellow-waisted hornet while cleaning at school on Tuesday morning. The student, a fourth-grader at Lixing Elementary School, was cleaning the balcony outside his classroom when the attack occurred. He sustained stings to his head and fingers, prompting school officials to immediately call for an ambulance.

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The species is the yellow-waisted hornet, a common species in urban and suburban areas, with summer and autumn being the peak activity period for bee colonies.

The boy was conscious when paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital for treatment. He was later discharged and sent home with his parents. The school confirmed the incident happened around 7 a.m. as students began their morning cleaning duties.

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If you find a beehive, remain calm and leave quickly; if attacked by a swarm, cover your head with clothing, lower your body, and retreat quickly.

Following the report, contractors hired by the city's agricultural bureau quickly located and removed the hornet's nest. It was found beneath an outdoor air conditioning unit near the classroom. The agricultural bureau identified the species as the common yellow-waisted hornet, noting that summer and fall are peak activity periods for these insects in urban and suburban areas.

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If beehives are discovered on campus, avoid disturbing or attacking the bees, and immediately set up warning tape to demarcate the area and inform teachers and students not to approach.

The bureau advised the public to remain calm and leave the area quickly if they encounter a nest. If attacked, they should cover their heads and bodies and retreat rapidly. The city's education bureau also urged schools to cordon off areas with warning tape and inform students to stay away from any discovered nests. Residents can report nests by calling 1999, and victims of stings should call 119 for immediate medical attention.

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If you find a beehive, you can call 1999 to report it, and the bureau will have its contracted vendor handle it; if stung by a hornet, please call 119 immediately to seek medical attention as soon as possible.