A 38-year-old mother from Spain has died after being bitten by her pet hamster and collapsing just two feet outside of the health center.
What started as a routine visit to the health center with her two kids turned into an unimaginable tragedy when she suddenly collapsed, leaving everyone in shock.
A woman collapsed outside a local health center while she was on her way with her two children — ages 17 and 11— to receive medical care following a hamster bite.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd despite quick intervention, the unnamed Colombian woman couldn’t be saved.
The whole area was quickly closed off by police, leaving the community in shock and wondering how something like this could happen.
Embed from Getty ImagesAn autopsy is expected to reveal whether the hamster bite contributed to her death, but it’s still not yet confirmed.
In Spain, autopsy results aren’t typically made public, so we may never know the exact details.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, a local court is currently coordinating an investigation into the case to get more clarity on what exactly happened. What we do know is that rabies and bacterial infections, while rare, can sometimes be transmitted through hamster bites.
There’s still no word on whether the hamster in this case was carrying anything that could have led to such a serious outcome.
Embed from Getty ImagesOfficials have yet to comment on the potential risks. Experts advise anyone who’s bitten by a hamster to wash the wound immediately to reduce the risk of complications.
This is especially important for people with weakened immune systems, who could be more vulnerable to infections.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut overall, serious reactions to hamster bites are incredibly rare. It’s not unheard of for people to have allergic reactions to hamster bites, although cases like this are unusual.
In 2007, a man from the UK was rushed to the hospital after going into anaphylactic shock following a hamster bite, which could have been fatal without immediate medical attention.
Embed from Getty ImagesStuart Philp, a paramedic who treated the man at the time, called it “a highly unusual situation,” adding that most allergic reactions they respond to are from wasp or bee stings — not hamsters.
He emphasized how important it is for allergy sufferers to be prepared with medications like EpiPens, as they can be life-saving.
Embed from Getty ImagesEven though this case sounds shocking, the British Hamster Association once said that hamster bites rarely cause severe health issues in humans.
In extremely rare cases, other types of rodent bites can lead to fatal outcomes.
Embed from Getty ImagesRodents have been known to transmit diseases like leptospirosis, hantavirus, and rat-bite fever, which may cause severe complications if left untreated.
While hamster-related deaths are uncommon, infections from rodents are generally more of a threat.
“Someone’s immune system would have to be very, very compromised for there to be such drastic consequences,” said Wendy Barry, the then-secretary of the association.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s a tragic story that has left many people scratching their heads.
While pet owners are often concerned about more common dangers like dog or cat bites, it’s important to remember that even the smallest animals can carry risks — though cases like this are extremely rare.