A Fatal Encounter with a Fly: A Cautionary Tale
In a rare and tragic event, a man in China lost his left eye following an infection caused by a fly he had swatted on his face. The fly, commonly found in moist areas like bathrooms and kitchens, led to severe health consequences.
A man in China lost his left eye due to an infection after swatting a bug on his face. According to the SCMP, the man, named Wu, swatted a buzzing drain fly that had landed on him. Within an hour, his left eye became red, swollen, and painful. He sought immediate medical attention, but despite taking medication, his condition worsened, ultimately leading to the removal of his left eyeball.
Media reports indicated that Wu was diagnosed with seasonal conjunctivitis. After experiencing pain in his left eye, he took medication. However, the pain persisted and his vision began to deteriorate.
Doctors informed him that the symptoms were caused by an infection that the medication could no longer halt, as the eye and surrounding areas had developed a severe ulcer. The infection threatened to spread to his brain, necessitating the removal of his entire left eye.
The insect involved in the incident was a drain fly, typically found near water sources like bathrooms, sinks, and kitchens. Experts recommend staying calm when an insect flies in front of you and avoiding swatting it. Instead, gently push it away and then wash the area it touched with clean water.
Wu's case attracted significant attention on social media. One user commented, "This is terrifying. I often see these tiny bugs in my bathroom and will never kill them again."
Another responded, "Always keep the bathroom and kitchen clean, it's the best way to protect ourselves."
This is not the first time such an event has occurred. In 2018, a 97-year-old woman in China suffered severe pain when a fly landed on a wound on her left cheek, causing a secondary infection. Her family reported that the bathroom had not been cleaned for a long period, attracting many flies.
