Deadly Spider Bites
Three women in North Florida, turned up at
hospitals over a 5-day period, all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting,
followed by muscular collapse, paralysis, and finally, death. There were no outward signs
of trauma. Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood.
These women did not know each other, and seemed to have nothing in common. It was
discovered, however, that they had all visited the same Restaurant (Olive Garden) within
days of their deaths. The health department descended on the restaurant, shutting it down.
The food, water, and air conditioning were all inspected and tested, to no avail.
The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant was rushed to the hospital with
similar symptoms. She told doctors that she had been on vacation, and had only went to the
restaurant to pick up her check.
She did not eat or drink while she was there, but had used the
restroom. That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article he had
read, drove out to the restaurant, went into the restroom, and lifted the toilet seat.
Under the seat, out of normal view, was a small spider. The spider was captured and
brought back to the lab, where it was determined to be the Two-Striped Telamonia
(Telamonia dimidiata), so named because of its reddened flesh color. This spider's venom
is extremely toxic, but can take several days to take effect. They live in cold, dark,
damp climates, and toilet rims provide just the right atmosphere.
Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up at a hospital emergency room.
Before his death, he told the doctor, that he had been away on business, had taken a
flight from Indonesia, changing planes in Singapore, before returning home. He did not
visit (Olive Garden), while there. He did, as did all of the other victims, have what was
determined to be a puncture wound, on his right buttock.
Investigators discovered that the flight he was on had originated in India. The
Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an immediate inspection of the toilets of all
flights from India, and discovered the Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata)
spider's nests on 4 different planes!
It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere in the country.
So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat to
check for spiders. It can save your life!