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False widow spiders force Forest of Dean school closure | False widow spiders force Forest of Dean school closure |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A school has been forced to close because of an outbreak of Britain's most venomous spider. | A school has been forced to close because of an outbreak of Britain's most venomous spider. |
The Dean Academy, in the Forest of Dean, said it "had identified an issue with false widow spiders" in its ICT block and other areas of the site. | The Dean Academy, in the Forest of Dean, said it "had identified an issue with false widow spiders" in its ICT block and other areas of the site. |
A letter from vice-principal Craig Burns to parents said the school would be shut on Wednesday to be fumigated. | A letter from vice-principal Craig Burns to parents said the school would be shut on Wednesday to be fumigated. |
Conservationists believe a change in the climate could be the cause of an increase in sightings of the species. | Conservationists believe a change in the climate could be the cause of an increase in sightings of the species. |
'No bite reports' | 'No bite reports' |
In the letter, Mr Burns said the school had taken immediate pest control advice on discovery of the spiders. | In the letter, Mr Burns said the school had taken immediate pest control advice on discovery of the spiders. |
Initially the decision was taken to close the ICT block but further discoveries of the species elsewhere have led to a full school closure. | Initially the decision was taken to close the ICT block but further discoveries of the species elsewhere have led to a full school closure. |
"This will enable pest control to fumigate every area in the academy and ensure everyone's health and safety," Mr Burns wrote. | "This will enable pest control to fumigate every area in the academy and ensure everyone's health and safety," Mr Burns 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." | "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." |
The school is expected to be open as normal on Thursday. | The school is expected to be open as normal on Thursday. |
The false widow (Steatoda nobilis) is about the size of a 50p coin and is the most dangerous of the 12 species of biting spider known in Britain. | The false widow (Steatoda nobilis) is about the size of a 50p coin and is the most dangerous of the 12 species of biting spider known in Britain. |
There have been no reported deaths from its bite in the UK. | There have been no reported deaths from its bite in the UK. |
Symptoms can include severe swelling, chest pains and tingling of fingers, with the severity depending on the amount of venom injected. | Symptoms can include severe swelling, chest pains and tingling of fingers, with the severity depending on the amount of venom injected. |
Gloucestershire spider recorder David Haigh said people would have to be "very unlucky" to be bitten by one as they do not move very quickly and are not aggressive. | Gloucestershire spider recorder David Haigh said people would have to be "very unlucky" to be bitten by one as they do not move very quickly and are not aggressive. |
He said he has never heard of a school being closed due to spiders, but said recent media attention on the False Widow has led to greater awareness. | He said he has never heard of a school being closed due to spiders, but said recent media attention on the False Widow has led to greater awareness. |
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