Don't be alarmed. Don't be afraid.
After their semi-horrific encounters with tussock moth caterpillars, three children have been treated at the Children's Hospital. However, doctors say that the Pittsburgh area is not facing some huge invasion of killer caterpillars... rather, the creepy-crawlies are actually native to the region, not poisonous and in most cases, hardly a threat to health.
Bon Apetit
Two of the children, a 13-month-old boy from Mars and a 16-month-old girl from Washington County, had to be taken into surgery after eating the caterpillars. Doctors wanted to make sure no part of the caterpillars were in their throats, where they might cause a reaction that could close off their airways. Both kids were kept overnight for observation, then released.Phone Apetit
The third instance involved a 9-year-old boy from Mount Oliver, who didn't notice a tussock moth caterpillar cocoon on the mouthpiece of a phone and smashed it against his face. Upon arrival at the Children's Hospital emergency room, the boy complained about feeling pins and needles in his chin (due to caterpillar fuzz). Doctors were able to remove the fuzz using hair removal wax. So far, no other incidents have been reported. Nevertheless, OnTV has been told that the caterpillar community will be holding funeral services at an undisclosed tree.Visit the OnTV Bulletin Archive.
