Killer Hornets In China Kill 19, Sting 600 Others Just Over Past 3 Months In One Area As They Attack All Over The Region

Killer hornets in China sting at least 19 people to death and 600 others have been stung as well.

Vespa Mandarina are the killer hornets in China that are the world's largest hornet species. In China's central Shaanxi province in the last three months, 600 had been stung and 19 have been stung to death, according to the city government of Ankang, the apparent epicenter of a recent spate of fatalities and injuries.

583 people have been stung in the Ankang area alone since July 1, according to city officials. 70 of those victims are still recovering in hospitals from attacks of these killer hornets in China.

"The more you run, the more they want to chase you," a victim told CNN. The victim, whose kidneys were ravaged by the venom, was admitted to the hospital and his urine was the color of soy sauce.

Chen Changlin was hospitalized after being attacked by hornets, while harvesting rice last week.

 "I ran and shouted for help, but the hornets chased me about 200 meters, and stung me for more than 3 minutes," he recounted to the state-run China Youth Daily.

Earlier this month, 30 people -- including 23 primary school children aged between six and eight years -- were injured in a hornet attack in Guangxi province, south of Shaanxi, according to CNN. Their teacher tried to get the hornets out of there, but would eventually lose consciousness.

The region's recent hot, dry weather, land development and hornet sensitivity to the smell of people could explain what is happening with all these killer hornets attacking. 

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