The story of a man in China who had to have his left eyeball removed because of an infection caused by him swatting an insect on his face has trended on mainland social media.
The man, surnamed Wu, from Shenzhen in the southern province of Guangdong, killed the fly that was buzzing around him after it landed on him, according to Yangcheng Evening News.
An hour later, his left eye became red, swollen and painful.
After seeking medical attention, he was diagnosed with seasonal conjunctivitis.
Despite taking medication, Wu’s condition worsened and his vision deteriorated dramatically.
Doctors said his symptoms were caused by an infection that medication could no longer halt, resulting in his eye and surrounding areas becoming severely ulcerated.
To prevent the bacteria from infecting his brain, doctors had to remove his entire left eyeball.
Mainland reports suggest that the small insect involved was a drain fly, whose larvae often live in water.
They are commonly found in dark, damp places in homes, such as bathrooms, bathtubs, sinks and kitchens. They carry many germs.
Experts advise staying calm when an insect flies near your eyes and not swatting at it.
Instead, gently shoo it away and then rinse the touched area with clean water or a saline solution.
The incident has attracted much attention on mainland social media.
“This is terrifying. I often see these small insects in my bathroom and will no longer kill them randomly,” one online observer wrote on Weibo.
“Always keeping the bathroom and kitchen clean is the best way to protect ourselves,” said another.
Incidents of infection by drain flies are not uncommon in China.
In October 2018, a 97-year-old woman in Shandong province in eastern China reportedly experienced severe pain in her left cheek due to a fly landing on a wound, causing a secondary infection.
Her family said the bathroom had not been cleaned for a long time, attracting many drain flies to the surfaces.
Experts suggest the best way to eliminate such insects is to keep bathrooms, kitchens, and other moist areas clean and dry, promptly removing any standing water and debris. Also, regular cleaning and unclogging of drains and toilets are essential.
