NOT FRIENDLY

Indian Giant Spider Attack Kills 2

But attempts to treat painful bites may make it worse.

Panic is spreading throughout a remote part of northeast India after colonies of giant biting spiders have attacked villagers—and two have died. Authorities say it is unclear if the victims died from the spiders’ venom or from the treatment, which involved local witch doctors cutting the victims with razor blades to drain the wounds. A local magistrate said the victims were cremated before any autopsies could be done. Another seven bite victims have been given antibiotics after similar treatment to drain their wounds, doctors at a local hospital said. The hairy spiders were first noticed about a month ago in the Tinsukia district, an area with a population of about 100,000.