Britain's most venomous spider has struck again. This time, prompting the closure of a school.

Advertisement

The Dean Academy in the Forest of Dean is closed for fumigation today, following the discovery of an outbreak of false widows.

Deputy headteacher, Mr Craig Burns, issued a letter to parents saying that a false widow spider was found in the ICT block yesterday, and, following investigations, there were further spiders identified in other areas of the academy, forcing it to close.

He wrote: “There have been no reports of anyone being bitten by the ‘false widow’ spiders at the academy but if you have any concerns please seek medical advice."

A bite from a false widow spider can cause pain, redness and swelling. And it's been in the news quite a bit lately because of a spate of reported bite cases - including a man who had a severe allergic reaction to the spider's bite and lost part of his leg.

More like this

There have been no reported deaths in the UK from a false widow spider bite. And experts say they are no more dangerous than wasps or bees. The spiders are not aggressive and only bite when squeezed.

Read more...

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement