Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Toxic caterpillars from Europe invading UK town causes rashes outbreak

Oak processionary moths, native to the continent, first discovered in UK in 2005

Amelia Wynne
Saturday 27 April 2019 11:28 BST
Comments
Caterpillar nest of Oak Processionary moth
Caterpillar nest of Oak Processionary moth (Alamy Stock Photo)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A plague of toxic caterpillars which cause painful rashes and can threaten the lives of asthma sufferers has struck Milton Keynes.

Thousands of oak processionary caterpillars have appeared in gardens and parks across the Buckinghamshire new town in the last few days.

Residents have complained about suffering reactions after touching the caterpillars which are dark in colour and around 25mm in length.

The caterpillars, which later turns into a moth, are covered in long white hairs.

The barbed hairs have a protein in them which causes irritation and they can often get caught in breezes and land on people’s skin.

Experts warn that if they come into contact with human skin they can cause itchy rashes, eye problems and sore throats.

In extreme cases, especially for those with asthma, it can cause breathing difficulties, they have warned.

Britney Comayas, 22, told how she suffered from a severe rash shortly after she visited the town.

She said she was visiting her parents last Thursday (18/4) with her two-year-old son Shane when she thinks she brushed past the caterpillar.

She said: “I reckon my rashes are from [the caterpillar] because as soon as I arrived in Milton Keynes last week I started getting a rash and it spread everywhere.

“It started with two red spots on my arm but by the next morning my spots were spreading and it looked like chicken pox.”

But when Britney spoke to doctors and A&E staff she was left without any answers.

She said: “No doctors know what it is, I’ve taken fexofenadine and acicclovir (both antihistamines) and put calamine lotion but I still have the rash, and it’s very itchy.”

The rash suffered by Britney Comayas, 22, after coming into contact with caterpillar in Milton Keynes ( SWNS)
The rash suffered by Britney Comayas, 22, after coming into contact with caterpillar in Milton Keynes ( SWNS) (SWNS)

Other Milton Keynes victims of the caterpillars, which are not native to the UK but started appearing in London in summer 2015, have shared their pain on Facebook.

Jyll Beckford said: “I suffered an itchy sore rash after some gardening last weekend it’s healing now. I thought it might be some sap from plants now maybe this is the cause”

Another woman also commented: “My husband has it down his face and arms really badly. Had the same last year but wasn’t sure what had caused it.”

A Forestry Commission spokesperson said: “We are working with local authorities and land managers to share best practice and to deliver a control programme of surveillance and treatment to tackle Oak Processionary Moths (OPM).

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“The majority of the UK is a designated Protected Zone for this pest and we have recently strengthened import controls on oak trees to mitigate against further risks.

“The pest is a native of southern Europe and first discovered in the UK in 2005.

“The OPM caterpillars, or larvae, emerge in spring and feed on oak leaves leaving the trees vulnerable to other pests and diseases.”

The Forestry Commission asked the public to report any sightings of the caterpillars or their nest, which looks like a white web, online.

SWNS

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in