Toxic caterpillars causing skin and breathing problems are wreaking havoc in Berlin, forcing the closure of playgrounds and sports facilities across the German capital. The oak processionary caterpillars, which can trigger severe allergic reactions, have spread to all 12 districts, prompting local leaders to demand urgent action from the Berlin Senate.
Infestation Spreads Across Berlin
Each caterpillar is covered in hundreds of thousands of microscopic hairs that can be carried by the wind, causing skin rashes, eye irritations, and respiratory issues in humans and animals. The infestation has already led to the cancellation of a summer festival at the Jungfernheide family centre and restrictions in popular green spaces like Görlitzer Park, where barbecues have been temporarily banned.
Authorities Call for Public Health Response
District authorities have jointly written to the Berlin Senate, urging that the outbreak be treated as a public health hazard rather than just a plant protection issue. They are calling for increased funding and city-wide coordination to tackle the problem, with schools, playgrounds, daycare centres, and sports facilities identified as top priorities.
Control measures include vacuuming up nests and removing them using hot water and high-pressure foam systems. Last month, a similar warning was issued by Woking Council in the UK, advising people to avoid the same breed of caterpillars.
Global Pest Problems
Meanwhile, the US is dealing with its own pest issue: a parasitic worm called the New World screwworm, which can kill fully-grown cows in less than two weeks and was recently found in Texas.
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