North Carolina health officials are working to get Benadryl and EpiPens to areas affected by Hurricane Helene after the storms disturbed yellowjacket populations.
Officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are working to get countermeasures to people who may have been stung in the parts of western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.
“We are actively working to ensure Benadryl and epinephrine are readily available in western NC for those who may be allergic or have been stung,” department press secretary Summer Tonizzo told NBC News.
The wasps normally nest underground, but flooding can force them out into the open. Furthermore, they use freshly cut and broken wood to make their nests, drawing them out even further in search of new nesting material and tree sap, according to an online post from the North Carolina State University Entomology Extension.
Another complication is that yellowjackets can sting multiple times and are not usually deterred by insect repellent. Colonies also tend to be at their fullest size in late summer and early fall, according to the post.
Benadryl can help deal with symptoms for non-allergic people, such as pain, itching and swelling at the site of the sting. Epinephrine, usually delivered via an EpiPen auto-injector, is for people who are allergic to yellowjacket stings. The chemical helps deal with severe allergic symptoms, such as trouble breathing and swallowing.
“We are working to issue a standing order for EpiPens for people to get medicines if they do not have a prescription from a provider,” Ms. Tonizzo told NBC News.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.