Following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a surge in reports about serious invasive fire ant stings has led to the hospitalization of twenty-three people in southeast Queensland. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has documented 60 severe red imported fire ant (Rifa) stings since March 1, with 23 incidents severe enough to necessitate hospitalization. Notably, a puppy’s death 15 months ago was the first documented fatality related to fire ant stings in the region.

A spokesperson for the program highlighted the danger posed by fire ants, which can trigger severe reactions in humans and animals, noting that up to 7.5% of people stung require medical attention. Reece Pianta, the advocacy manager at the Invasive Species Council, emphasized the heightened risk associated with fire ant stings for people conducting outdoor work or engaging in activities like bushwalking and beach barbecues.

Pianta also underscored the growing concern over the impact of fire ants on pets, citing reports of anaphylactic reactions and deaths among animals. The spread of these ants, facilitated by back-to-back flooding events and insufficient support for property owners, has led to a significant increase in their population.

In response to the rising threat, the Queensland government has allocated an additional $24 million to the Fire Ant Suppression taskforce. This initiative will cover the treatment of 212,000 hectares within the suppression zone over two years, targeting areas with the highest fire ant densities.

Environmental health officials are calling for increased support and awareness, as well as a federal government match to Queensland’s funding commitment, to combat the spread of this invasive species effectively. The pest, originally from South America, has spread to over 700,000 hectares in the Brisbane region and poses significant risks to native wildlife, industry, and Australia’s quality of life.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/24/queensland-fire-ant-sting-hospitalisations-cyclone-alfred