British walkers warned as deadliest creatures revealed
In the UK, however, our 36 native mosquito species pose little in the way of threat, so they don't feature in the three-way tie for the title of UK's deadliest creature.
Nor do we have marauding bears, prides of lions and snakes that can kill you with a lick.
But we do have the most unassuming deadly animals, of which walkers should be especially cautious.
Some fella on TikTok there wearing a muzzle in solidarity with his XL bully, 2024 is off to a flyer pic.twitter.com/o2l8AGnMAP
BBC Science Focus said the most deadly animal in the UK will come as no surprise, it is the household dog. Rishi Sunak recently added American XL bully dogs to the list of banned breeds after a rise in dog-related deaths.
Other breeds are thought to be responsible for other tragic deaths also. As of September 30, 2023, there were 16 deaths in England and Wales caused by dog bites or strikes, which is the highest number in the period from 2001 to 2023. This is more than double the six deaths recorded in 2022.
Bees and wasps also have a claim to the title of Britain's biggest danger. For the 0.5 per cent of the population who are allergic to the venom in their stings, the resulting anaphylaxis can be fatal. It causes the death of between two and nine people in the UK every year.
The deadly killer is less obvious. It's the cow.
Recommended reading:
Man films wild poisonous snakes crawling around in UK
Steve Backshall warns dangerous animals are coming to UK
Despite coming across as four-legged hippies of the fields, grazing and generally lounging about, cows attack up to 4,000 people in the UK every year.
And around five of those people die from their injuries. Most deaths are among the farming community, but walkers can be at risk too. In the wild, cattle are a prey species, so new mothers are primed to defend their calves.
Most accidents occur when natural boundaries are ignored. Cattle can injure people by knocking them down and trampling or lying on them.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Woman diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after ignoring four symptoms for a year
One woman said she felt a "constant pressure" on her chest and was coughing, but she dismissed the signs and even blamed them on anxiety before she was given a horror diagnosis In the UK, over 400,000 individuals receive a cancer diagnosis annually. With more than 200 different types of cancer, identifying what to watch for can prove challenging. Nevertheless, recognising cancer symptoms early can be life-saving - making it essential to consult your GP if you begin experiencing anything unusual for you. Marlene discovered she had been suffering cancer symptoms for more than a year, but brushed off the warning signs and attributed them to grief following a recent loss. She subsequently received a stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. This is an uncommon cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which comprises the network of vessels and glands throughout the body. Using her TikTok account @marlycrocket, where she's been documenting her experience, Marlene has urged her followers never to dismiss symptoms, and to always have them examined by a medical professional. Marlene revealed she had been suffering symptoms for more than a year and hadn't been "paying attention to them". Detailing the four primary symptoms she encountered, Marlene explained she noticed unexplained weight loss, despite no changes to her eating habits. She also suffered night sweats, waking up "drenched" in perspiration for "no reason". She believed these two symptoms were connected to anxiety, as her father had died. The third symptom she endured was irritated skin. "I would itch my skin until I was basically bleeding, but I [applied] creams and it helped, so I didn't really pay so much attention to it," she added. The symptom that led to her diagnosis was a feeling of "constant pressure" on her chest, and coughing. "It was hurting quite badly and I didn't know if it was my heart or my breast, but it ended up being my lung, Marlene explained. After seeing a doctor, blood tests revealed "high levels of inflammation", leading them to scan her lungs for a potential chest infection. In a follow-up video, she shared they discovered a "big mass" in her left lung. After undergoing a PET scan and three bronchoscopies, and enduring the "worst" week-long wait of her life, it was confirmed she had Hodgkin's lymphoma. A few days later, she was informed it was stage 4. Cancer Research UK explains that stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma indicates the lymphoma is present in the lymph nodes and an extranodal site, or the lymphoma is in more than one extranodal site. According to Cancer Research UK, the most common symptom of Hodgkin's lymphoma is "a painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes". These swellings can occur anywhere on the body, but are commonly found in the neck, armpit and groin. Other general symptoms someone might experience include:. Heavy sweating, particularly at night High temperatures that come and go without any apparent cause, often overnight Rapid weight loss despite a good diet Persistent itching that worsens after consuming alcohol A constant cough or breathlessness, Abdominal pain or swollen lymph nodes post alcohol consumption It's crucial to bear in mind that these symptoms could be indicative of various conditions and don't necessarily mean you have cancer. However, it's still vital to consult your GP if you experience any of them.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Doctors sound alarm over $8 pouches loved by teens that can lead to dangerous overdoses
Experts are sounding the alarm over a new trend that sees teens turning to caffeine pouches that could contain dangerously high levels of the substance. Influencers on TikTok are promoting small, caffeine-packed pouches that young people insert between their upper gums and cheeks, similar to a Zyn nicotine pouch, delivering a steady dose of stimulant to the bloodstream for about 30 minutes. For less than $8, anyone, including children under 18, can buy a tin of 15 rectangular tea bag-like pouches, each containing 200mg of caffeine in flavors such as watermelon and strawberry lemonade. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests kids 12 to 18 consume no more than 100mg of caffeine, the equivalent of a cup of drip coffee and more than a standard 8.4-ounce Red Bull, which contains just 80mg of caffeine. But just one pouch can contain anywhere from 54mg to 225mg, depending on the brand, a far bigger jolt to a child's brain and cardiovascular system. Too much caffeine, especially in a young person whose brain is still developing, can contribute to problems with impulse control, emotional regulation, decision-making, and attention. Teens can also experience caffeine overdose, which can cause trouble breathing, irregular or rapid heartbeat, dizziness, muscle twitching, and convulsions. Dr Jamey Maniscalco, a neuroscientist practicing in Colorado and a concerned father, told 'At minimum, we should treat these products with the same scrutiny we apply to other performance-enhancing or psychoactive substances.' Dr Hamilton Gaiani, a board-certified psychiatrist practicing in Connecticut, added: 'Teenagers are still growing, and their brains are more susceptible to these effects. 'Excessive amounts of caffeine can also result in concentration problems, stress, and in some cases, panic attacks.' The number of children ages 11 to 14 who had to visit the emergency room due to a caffeine overdose doubled between 2017 and 2023, according to a November 2024 study. Although many influencers promoting caffeine pouches target teens in their videos, manufacturers claim to use marketing strategies that avoid school-age children. A spokesperson from Wip, a company that sells caffeine pouches, told 'Wip's commercial success is rooted in a deliberate focus on our target customers -- adults seeking a convenient energy source tailored to their daily needs. From long-haul truck drivers to outdoor sports enthusiasts, Wip is successfully defining a new product category for adults. 'While caffeine can be safely consumed by certain age groups under 18, Wip has adopted an exceptionally proactive marketing approach that exceeds official health authority guidelines and prohibits intentionally targeting minors or using underage talent in any brand representation. This is not just the right thing to do -- it's also good business, as Wip is becoming a clear choice for adults seeking bold, focused energy.' Records of Wip's marketing strategies reviewed by report that Wip does not have any followers on its TikTok channel who are under 18, while more than 98 percent of the company's Instagram followers are legal adults. There are no age restrictions on buying any tins of caffeine pouches. Even people under 18 can enter a credit card into a TikTok shop or go to a gas station and buy several tins. Wip maintains that it follows the age-related marketing standards set by the trade group American Beverage Association, which compels companies within the group not to provide energy drink samples or coupons to children under 13 and not to sell them in K-12 schools. Caffeine pouches are advertised as being able to boost energy, especially for workouts and athletic events, as well as focus and mental clarity. And fans consistently tout their buzzy benefits. Some TikTok influencers not affiliated with the companies call out high school students directly who vape or use nicotine pouches, promising that 'you still get that kick in, that little buzzing feeling in your lip… You just pop one of these before class, and you're gonna be chilling.' Some companies offer perks to new buyers, which can lead to them becoming hooked. NZE commented on several posts on Instagram tagging to their products, inviting people to join their VIP club or promising free samples. NZE has not responded to request for comment. The caffeine pouches sit tucked between the gum and the cheek, providing a steady dose of caffeine and bypassing the digestive system. Dr Gaiani said: 'How the body can take in caffeine can be important. Absorption via the gums could potentially have it enter the bloodstream earlier than the ingestion of coffee would.' 'This would cause a faster and more potent effect, something the body would be less able to cope with, particularly in large doses.' The packaging of popular brands looks nearly identical to the popular nicotine brand Zyn, and has flavors reminiscent of now-banned flavored vape pods. The growing market for the caffeine pouches industry has ties to the e-cigarette industry. Richard Mumby, the marketing executive who helped launch the e-cigarette Juul, spearheaded Wip. The company, though, maintains that its marketing of Wip products is strictly aimed at adults and that its strategies are unlike Juul's. Will Campbell, Vice President of Sales of Wip, said in a statement in June: 'We're skipping traditional media in favor of a digital-first approach, an open ambassador program, and hands-on trial to drive organic growth. 'You'll find us in the specialty retailers—from leading action sports shops and top-tier gyms to elite creator hubs and influential lifestyle retailers—and in convenience stores, where nearly half of energy drink consumers make their purchases.' Caffeine has some documented health benefits, from reduced fatigue to improved cognitive and muscle function. Coffee specifically has proven beneficial to the liver, can lower blood pressure, reduce heart disease risk, and stave off type 2 diabetes. Such benefits come from moderate amounts of caffeine, not the larger doses that some teens are packing. Scientists understand far less about caffeine's effects on teens' brains than they do adults'. They do know that the effects are dose-dependent, meaning the adverse signs of caffeine use on a teen's developing brain and body increase in number and severity the more the person drinks. Based on a collection of homeroom teachers' reports on student behavior, and questionnaires completed by those students, sociologists at the West Virginia University School of Public Health found that middle-school students who drank at least 100mg of caffeine per day from coffee, energy drinks, and tea scored three points higher on teacher evaluations for problem behavior. They were more likely to have trouble sitting still, be restless or hyperactive, struggle to pay attention, and show signs of anxiety or depression. Overstimulating a teen brain with caffeine could potentially set them up for problems with impulse control, emotional regulation, decision-making, and attention. The pouches are placed against the gum just as a nicotine pouch would, which may normalize the behavior in teens, Dr Maniscalco said. Dr Gaiani added: 'Exposure to potent stimulants like large amounts of caffeine during adolescent years can increase the chances that a person will try other drugs as an adult. 'It doesn't mean that it will happen to everyone, but when teenagers get used to taking something to make them energized, to focus, or just to relax, they will be more likely to try other drugs like nicotine or other drugs as an adult.'
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a doctor and this is why you're tired no matter how much sleep you get'
The doctor said that in some cases, you may have been misdiagnosed If you are constantly feeling tired, one doctor recommends checking three key areas before making any diagnosis - and says your GP should do the same. When discussing fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), he explained that there are a few specific tests he prefers to run before confirming either of these common health conditions. The GP frequently sees patients with these conditions, though he notes you may have been misdiagnosed as some of these conditions can be complex. Speaking on TikTok, Doctor Ahmed said: "When I see patients who have got fibromyalgia or ME, one of the first things they want to know is, has everything been ruled out." 1. You may not know you have this Under the username @dra_says, he warned: "This is one thing that if we don't diagnose and treat, nothing else we do will work until we treat it - and this is obstructive sleep apnea. "I think this is chronically under-diagnosed because to get a diagnosis, often someone else is needed" such as a "partner who is in the same bed as you." He said that the reason for this is that if you sleep alone, you may not realise that you're having "these weird apnoeic episodes when you sleep." The doctor goes onto say that people may actually have this, and not ME. He notes: "If you are someone who sleeps alone, you may never pick up on this and amount of people I've seen have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or ME when, in fact, they have undiagnosed sleep apnea is actually been very high." 2. You could have chronic Lyme disease The doctor admits: "This is a very tricky one because you can't really diagnose on a blood test. And there's no actual medication for it that we can give you that will make it better." He adds that GPs often need to know details about your medical history, including things like rashes or tick bites. So, if you've spent a lot of time outdoors, lived in rural or wooded areas, or worked with animals, it's important to mention this to your GP. He notes that some of his patients "recall having a very significant rash or a time when they were very unwell with the symptoms that was associated with a rash." 3. You may actually have this Speaking about Mast cell activation syndrome aka he explains with this you get an "inappropriate amount of histamine release due to a trigger that should not normally release histamine." With this, you get "widespread symptoms" and of course, the main one is "extreme fatigue." Doctor Ahmed explains that the most effective way to diagnose this is through a trial of treatment - and while it might sound intimidating, he assures it's nothing to worry about, reassuring people: "It is relatively safe and if it does work, it can give great results." Concluding his informative video, he warns those suffering: "This list is not exhaustive. Chronic fatigue or feeling tired all the time is one of the most common things we see every single day and it can be done so many things. These are just three that I've come across recently that have been missed."
