Fire officials said a 79-year-old woman was stung at least 30 times and her 82-year-old husband suffered at least 20 bee stings as they walked in their neighborhood. Also a woman and her child were stung about five times each and taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.

 

A TV news cameraman and a 24-year-old man living at the house where the hive was found also were stung, but they were treated by paramedics on the street.

 

The attacks occurred near the intersection of Orien and Olive avenues, close to Helix High School.

 

The hive was destroyed with a combination of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher and soapy water.

 

Africanized bees, also known as killer bees, are descendents of southern African bees imported in 1956 by Brazilian scientists attempting to breed a honey bee better adapted to the South American tropics.

 

They were named “killer bees” because they will viciously attack people and animals who unwittingly stray into their territory, often resulting in serious injury or death. It is not necessary to disturb the hive itself to initiate an attack. They are disturbed even by noises, or vibrations from vehicles, equipment and pedestrians.

 

Although their venom is no more toxic than those of regular bees, killer bees may remain agitated for 24 hours, attacking people and animals within a range of a quarter mile from the hive.