Blandford fly blamed for summer bites rise (From Bournemouth Echo)

Blandford fly blamed for summer bites rise

6:00pm Thursday 29th July 2010 in

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THE Blandford fly is being blamed for a summer surge in infected insect bites which have left some victims hospitalised.

But the North Dorset market town and surrounding villages on the River Stour where the blood-sucking insects were first identified and named after is winning its battle to combat the blood-sucking insects.

Experts claim the tiny black bug that used to be found only in streams in rural southern England is now moving into towns and cities across the country, encouraged by the popularity of garden water features.

The insect’s bites often turn infectious leaving victims needing medical treatment for allergic reactions.

Wondering what on earth the Blandford Fly is?

Click the link at the foot of the story for history, advice and to see which national newspaper's christened it the

Blandford residents had grown to loathe the biting insect whose larvae hatch in the reed beds of the River Stour.

Roger Frost, team leader in Blandford district council’s food, licensing and safety department, said yesterday: “We have been treating the River Stour since 1993 and complaints about bites have dropped from about 1,500 a year to below 100.

“The biological treatment targets the larvae and has considerably reduced the population of flies. The biting season is now over and initial reports from GPs indicate that the treatment has been very effective.”

West Moors GP Dr Tom McKinstry, who is chairman of the British Medical Association’s East Dorset division, said he had seen a slight rise in the number of patients seeking treatment for insect bites.

He added: “I have wondered whether the Blandford fly might be responsible. None of my patients required hospital treatment but I have prescribed antibiotics.”

Writer Gavin Haines, 26, from Bournemouth, believes he may have been bitten by a Blandford fly recently.

He said: “The little finger on my left hand was badly swollen and, by the end of the day, my whole hand and wrist had swollen up, making it very difficult to drive.

“I booked a doctor’s appointment and the receptionist told me it looked like a Blandford fly bite. After three days the swelling has started to go down.”

Bournemouth borough council spokeswoman Rachel Mills said: “We are not aware of any reports of Blandford fly bites this year.”

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Now read our bookmarked links on the Blandford Fly, including pictures of bites and advice on what to do if you get one...