Survival Guide - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 744

Insect Bites & Stings
Causes Mosquitoes, sandflies (located around the Mediterranean beaches), scorpions (fre-
quently found in arid or dry climates), bees and wasps (in the Aegean and Mediterranean
coastal areas, particularly around Marmaris).
Symptoms & effects Mosquitoes can cause irritation and infected bites, and may carry
malaria in southeastern Anatolia. Sandflies have a nasty, itchy bite, and can carry leish-
maniasis. Turkey's small white scorpions can give a painful sting that will bother you for
up to 24 hours.
Prevention DEET-based insect repellents.
Snake Bites
Prevention Do not walk barefoot or stick your hands into holes or cracks when exploring
nature or even touring overgrown ruins and little-visited historic sites.
Treatment If bitten, do not panic. Half of those bitten by venomous snakes are not actu-
ally injected with poison (envenomed). Immobilise the bitten limb with a splint (eg a
stick) and bandage the site with firm pressure, similar to applying a bandage over a sprain.
Do not apply a tourniquet, or cut or suck the bite. Get the victim medical help as soon as
possible so that antivenene can be given if necessary.