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Fire ant infestation results in resident deaths

LTC Liability Monitor, March 31, 2004

Although they aren't common, fire ant attacks present an increasing danger to nursing homes, according to a study at the University of Mississippi.

Researchers documented at least six fire ant attacks in nursing homes-two each reported in Florida, Texas, and Mississippi-resulting in at least four resident deaths, according to the Associated Press (AP). Only 2% of the population is allergic to insect stings; however, the residents died from complications rather than the stings themselves.

Researchers called for the development of guidelines to help nursing homes ward off and respond to the fire ant threat. The South American insects can be found throughout the Gulf states, and also as far north as Kentucky and the Carolinas, and as far west as parts of California and New Mexico, reported the AP.

Last week a jury ordered Gulf Health Care Center in Galveston, TX, to pay $136,000 to the daughter of a resident who died from complications after a fire ant attack, according to the Houston Chronicle. The resident's daughter sought $2.5 million, and plans to appeal the ruling.

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