Worldwide search launched after scorpion attacks passenger at airport

Dale Rodel

Dale Rodel got more reaction than he expected when he casually told an Air New Zealand check-in attendant he had just been stung by a scorpion.

As the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry yesterday tried to find where the creature had come from, the 19-year-old Napier man recounted the incident after being discharged from Middlemore Hospital.

"I felt this stabbing like a piece of glass. At first I thought it was a spider so wasn't too worried. When I saw it was a scorpion, I took a step back."

He told the attendant what had happened.

"She was like, what!! then leaned over the counter and was like, woooh! I didn't stomp on it or anything, I was just a little shocked."

He said his injuries were mild, and went away after about eight hours.

"There was some swelling and a bit of redness. It went down reasonably fast. I am fine now. There was a constant stinging in the foot for around eight hours."

Biosecurity New Zealand was called in to collect the 7cm scorpion and sweep the terminal.

The senior adviser for Biosecurity New Zealand, Amelia Pascoe, said the species of scorpion was yet to be ascertained.

"Images of the specimen were sent out to a couple of scorpion experts overseas. They have asked for more images."

She said the results of their enquires were expected today.

"There are scorpions in a number of countries around the world, including North America, Europe Australia and Africa. Depending on what species we get, that will give us a pretty good indication as to where the scorpion came from."

She said it was most likely that Mr Rodel had been an unwitting carrier of the invader.

"The guy had just come in from South Africa. We know South Africa does have scorpions."

Ms Pascoe said it appeared that x-ray machines used to screen airport luggage failed to spot the unwanted passenger.

However, Mr Rodel did not believe the scorpion came from his luggage.

"I had returned from a holiday in South Africa the night before. I don't think it was from my luggage. I had stayed in Auckland for the night. It was probably from someone in transit."