Article: Bee stings cost thousands; Children most likely victims

Thousands of New Zealanders each year seek medical treatment for, of all things, bee stings.

Figures from ACC show 5843 people claimed for injuries resulting from bee stings in the year to July 2003 -- at a cost of $296,697.

In the same period, 431 New Zealanders claimed for injuries caused by the more disreputable wasps.

In the five months to December, more than 1050 people claimed for bee and wasp stings costing nearly $60,000.

Pegasus GP Dr Graham McGeoch said the most common stings were in children who had been running around in bare feet on clover lawns.

"They're very slow learners, they do it again and again."

Landcare Research scientist Dr Richard Harris said honey bee hives ...

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