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Jessicca“Killer Spider” on the loose – The Two-Striped Telamonia
September 21st 2006 09:20
Although this doesn’t really link to the health issues directly in this BLOG, but it is health hazard enough for people to freak out and eventually cause injury when they face this harmless “killer spider” therefore I have decided to write a post on this to let everyone know more about this.
Usually when any Twilight-Zone fan sees a spider they would remember the good old Black and White series where the spider was put on the man’s chest and there goes a healthy person turned to a corps! This is one of the Twilight-Zone series that I will never forget when I watched it as a child.
Recently I received this email regarding the recent stole-away spider that is lurking around and hurting a lot of people, especially women, the “ding ding ding ding… ding ding ding ding…” music will float in my mind and out came that Black and White image of the killer spider.
Well, don’t panic. This “killer spider” doesn’t suck the life and flesh out of you and turn you to a corps while you are unconscious, neither does it has the venom (at least not known to researchers) that brings fatal to a human. But lets see what this “killer spider” email looks like so that we are prepared to know whether it is a hoax or genuine in the future:
The hoax email
Three women in KL, 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 along Jalan Kuchai Lama 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 up 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 JB 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 the restaurant,
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! And please pass this on to you care
about.
So lets come clean and know more about this hoax email and the so far, truth about this spider.
There is not now and never was a Civilian Aeronautics Board. There was a Civil Aeronautics Board, but it was abolished in 1984 in the wake of airline deregulation.
The Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata), according to entomologists, is actually a jumping spider native to Indonesia, there has yet to find any legitimate sources warning that its venom is deadly to humans. Given that its natural habitat is the rain forest -- a damp but not particularly cold or dark environment – yet it seems unlikely the Two-Striped Telamonia would find the undersides of porcelain toilet rims an especially hospitable place to dwell.
Therefore, do not panic when you read this email anymore.
Usually when any Twilight-Zone fan sees a spider they would remember the good old Black and White series where the spider was put on the man’s chest and there goes a healthy person turned to a corps! This is one of the Twilight-Zone series that I will never forget when I watched it as a child.
The Two-Striped Telamonia
Recently I received this email regarding the recent stole-away spider that is lurking around and hurting a lot of people, especially women, the “ding ding ding ding… ding ding ding ding…” music will float in my mind and out came that Black and White image of the killer spider.
Well, don’t panic. This “killer spider” doesn’t suck the life and flesh out of you and turn you to a corps while you are unconscious, neither does it has the venom (at least not known to researchers) that brings fatal to a human. But lets see what this “killer spider” email looks like so that we are prepared to know whether it is a hoax or genuine in the future:
The hoax email
Three women in KL, 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,
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 along Jalan Kuchai Lama 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 up 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 JB 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 the restaurant,
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! And please pass this on to you care
about.
So lets come clean and know more about this hoax email and the so far, truth about this spider.
There is not now and never was a Civilian Aeronautics Board. There was a Civil Aeronautics Board, but it was abolished in 1984 in the wake of airline deregulation.
The Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata), according to entomologists, is actually a jumping spider native to Indonesia, there has yet to find any legitimate sources warning that its venom is deadly to humans. Given that its natural habitat is the rain forest -- a damp but not particularly cold or dark environment – yet it seems unlikely the Two-Striped Telamonia would find the undersides of porcelain toilet rims an especially hospitable place to dwell.
Therefore, do not panic when you read this email anymore.
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Comment by Anonymous
I have those emails too. They actually got me worried and everytime I go to the toilet I will check around the toilet bowl.
Even if you said it is harmless I will still check it just in case. Phobia!
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
Thanks to the horror films of Twilight Zone... * music * Ting ting ting ting ting ting ting ting.... * music *
Yet there are some truth that some range of spiders are deadly, like the Black Widow Spider. We just need to clearly know which ones are they.
Nevertheless, it is good to check the validity of any forwarding mails, especially health issues so that everyone can be well informed and not be misled.
Thanks so much for dropping by. ^_^
Comment by blueJuly
Do your research before you believe what you read!
As a teacher, honestly people...Think for Yourself!
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed weekend
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
You are most welcome. I too have less phobia looking down the toilet seat now.
I believe everyone has quite a phobia with spiders still.
Have a blessed week ahead
Jessicca
Comment by Mr. Mike C.
Comment by gtstangn
I too believe this is a huge hoax. Thanks for the research, that is what I'm on here doing!
Comment by someonein the shodows
Comment by someonein the shodows
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
The thing is there are possibilities that there are spider webs found around the toilet but so far, thank God that there isn't around the toilet bowl, unless the toilet hasn't been used in months, that could happen.
Hi Anonymous,
Good to know about the information, I too had the phobia for a while until I felt ridiculous and started searching more information about forward mails.
Probably the best way is to either keep the toilet cover closed or lifted up to avoid possible "nesting" if you feel fearful. ^_^
Thanks for dropping by and have a blessed day
Jessicca
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Sachin
well i believe we should not have a phobia of having spider under our bums while susuing...n doing some urgent stuff
regularly we can clean the toilets and our house as well so that the possiblities dies out...
Comment by Anonymous
It is however, not a bad idea to check toilet seats before you sit on them. I think that's just good hygiene habits.
Comment by Vivian Woo
Comment by tree
#1, it was on the news
#2 ,4 people died from the bites
#3, they had professionals do autopsies on the bodies and said the blood contained toxins and venom
#4, why do you think they sent out all these e-mails to everybody
so i dont care what annybody else thinks but im going to check the toilet every time i use it oh and dont belive all this trash about how they are not harmless because they are
Comment by Anonymous
With that attitude, then consider this...if these fake spiders can get in on an airline....wouldn't you think it could also get in your home/apartment?
God! Wouldn't that be a scary thought!
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
I actually have to delete some of the comments as they are not so friendly and contributing.
Hi Vivian,
I totally agree with what you think about. It is not about the spider, it is actually dealing with the environment and the things we touch.
And true enough. I have encountered many times centipedes and millipedes in the toilet (even our own home) along with tiny little earthworms.
Yes, we never know when one day such creatures can mutate and bring fatal to humans, because of our own doing of not taking care of our own planet.
Until then, these little 8-legged creature deserves some dignity until they are officially tested and reported as hazardous by labs.
Wouldn't you agree?
Again, thank you so much for putting a cent of your thought to this post.
Have a blessed day
p/s: I do not favour spiders as well.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
My mum (in Brazil) has also just sent me the same email!
Spiders don't scare.
I am scared of all these hoax emails and the speed they spread in the net!