Asian Hornet anti-venom (FOI)

Request

Baring in mind that attacks by the Asian Hornet can be fatal, what emergency anti-venom does the Hospital and Ambulance staff hold in case a person or a child accidentally stumbles across an Asian Hornet nest and is attacked?

Response

There is no ‘anti-venom’ available for Asian Hornet stings or any other stings from bees, wasps or hornets. The management of Asian Hornet stings is the same for bee and wasp stings. This involves treating severe local reactions with antihistamines and corticosteroids, and anaphylactic reactions with adrenaline. All of these medicines are available within the hospital and to ambulance staff.