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A distressing incident in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, has garnered significant attention on Chinese social media. A man named Wu had to have his left eyeball removed after an infection developed from swatting an insect on his face.
According to the Yangcheng Evening News, Wu killed a fly that had landed on him. An hour later, his left eye became red, swollen, and painful. Seeking medical help, Wu was initially diagnosed with seasonal conjunctivitis. Despite taking medication, his condition worsened, and his vision deteriorated rapidly. Doctors discovered that an infection, which medication could no longer control, had caused severe ulceration in his eye and surrounding areas.
To prevent the bacteria from spreading to his brain, doctors decided to remove Wu's entire left eyeball. Reports suggest that the insect involved was a drain fly, commonly found in dark, damp places like bathrooms and kitchens. These flies, whose larvae live in water, can carry numerous germs.
Experts advise remaining calm when an insect flies near your eyes and avoiding swatting at it. Instead, gently shoo it away and rinse the area with clean water or saline solution.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media. One Weibo user commented, "This is terrifying. I often see these small insects in my bathroom and will no longer kill them randomly." Another user emphasized, "Always keeping the bathroom and kitchen clean is the best way to protect ourselves."
Instances of infections caused by drain flies are not uncommon in China. In October 2018, a 97-year-old woman in Shandong province experienced severe pain in her left cheek after a fly landed on a wound, causing a secondary infection. Her family admitted that their bathroom had not been cleaned for a long time, attracting many drain flies.
Source: SCMP
