Bee sting deaths are a horrific occurrence when venom enters the body resulting in anaphylactic shock and organ damage. While many people are allergic to bees worldwide, bee sting deaths are rare but not unheard of.
Discover 20+ fascinating bee sting death statistics below and learn more about ways to protect yourself from deadly stings, the chances of dying from a bee sting, and more.
Top Fascinating Bee Sting Death Statistics
Here are the top ten most notable bee sting death statistics to get started with:
- Approximately two million Americans are allergic to bee stings.
- 80% of bee sting deaths occurred in males between 2000 and 2017.
- An adult male can die after 50 to 500 bee stings or ~10 stings per pound.
- In one study, 75% of patients without a history of bee allergies experienced anaphylactic shock after getting stung.
- Only 5% of the US and European populations are allergic to wasp or honey bee stings.
- Negative effects of a bee sting typically manifest immediately to 30 minutes after getting stung.
- Wasp and bee sting deaths are more likely to occur in rural than urban settings.
- Researchers found that those with lower socioeconomic status are 12x more likely to experience a bee sting death than those with high socioeconomic status.
- One study found that wasp and bee stings accounted for 12.5% of animal-related fatalities between 2018 and 2022.
- Wasp and bee stings are the second leading cause of animal-related deaths, with deer-related incidents ranking number one.
Read more below for all 20+ bee sting death statistics and trends.
Fascinating Bee Sting Death Statistics You Need to Know
Despite bee sting deaths occurring in approximately 60 people per year, bee stings are one of the most common ways that humans die from animal interventions. Whether you are allergic to bees or not, these fascinating bee sting death statistics may shock you.
There were 1,109 deaths from hornets, wasps, and bee stings between 2000 and 2017. (CDC)
One of the fascinating bee sting death statistics is that, on average, 62 people die yearly from getting stung.
80% of bee sting deaths occurred in males between 2000 and 2017. (CDC)
Wasp and bee stings can result in organ injury in the liver, kidneys, and muscles. (Pramith Ruwanpathirana & Dilshan Priyankara)
One of the fascinating bee sting death statistics is that getting stung can not only cause anaphylactic shock but it can also cause multi-organ failure.
In one study, 75% of patients without a history of bee allergies experienced anaphylactic shock after getting stung. (Mahdi Fakhar et al.)
Only 3% of adults experience anaphylactic shock from insect bites, or bee stings yearly. (Mahdi Fakhar et al.)
While bee stings are common worldwide, it’s rare that bee stings cause cardiac arrest.
An adult male can die after 50 to 500 bee stings or ~10 stings per pound. (Mahdi Fakhar et al., U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Negative effects of a bee sting typically manifest immediately to 30 minutes after getting stung. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Epinephrine is only available to patients with a doctor’s prescription. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Epinephrine is a life-saving medication for those with food or bee allergies. However, only those with a prescription can access this drug, despite the surprising bee sting death statistics that show 3 out of 4 patients with no history of bee allergies can experience anaphylactic shock.
Only 57.5% of patients always carry epinephrine. Meanwhile, 24.2% bring epinephrine to restaurants, and 3% carry it to school. 16.1% of people never carry epinephrine. (Chanonart Ratanaprug et al.)
Only 5% of the US and European populations are allergic to wasp or honey bee stings. (Mahdi Fakhar et al.)
Melittin comprises 50% of bee venom, causing inflammation, kidney injury, and in some cases, death. (Mahdi Fakhar et al.)
Half a cup of soap in a gallon of water doused on honey bees will immobilize and kill them in under one minute. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
In cases where someone is getting attacked by a swarm of bees, dousing bees with soap and water can be a life-saving action.
Wasp and bee stings are the second leading cause of animal-related deaths, with deer-related incidents ranking number one. (Juan D Linares Velandia et al.)
Forget your fear of sharks; this fascinating bee sting death statistic reveals that bees and deer are humanity’s most ruthless killers.
One study in Taiwan found that 7.5% of 611 patients had severe to fatal envenomation from wasp and bee stings. (Thi Ngat Nguyen et al.)
Wasp and bee sting deaths are more likely to occur in rural than urban settings. (S. Mathipa et al.)
One study reported two bee sting deaths in urban settings compared to 16 fatalities in rural settings.
Researchers found that those with lower socioeconomic status are 12x more likely to experience a bee sting death than those with high socioeconomic status. (S. Mathipa et al.)
When a bee stings, ~50 µg of venom gets injected into the skin. (Dr. AP Rayamane et al.)
One study found that wasp and bee stings accounted for 12.5% of animal-related fatalities between 2018 and 2022. (S. Mathipa et al.)
Immunotherapy doesn’t protect 20 to 25% of those with bee venom allergies. (Dr. AP Rayamane et al.)
75 to 80% of those allergic to bee venom can get protected with immunotherapy.
Autopsies that reveal upper airway edema are the most common way to conclude anaphylactic shock from bee stings as the cause of death. (Dr. AP Rayamane et al.)
Approximately two million Americans are allergic to bee stings. (Boston Children’s Hospital)
Wrap Up
Now that you know 20+ fascinating bee sting death statistics, you are more prepared to explore the great outdoors without fear.
Despite being the second biggest cause of animal-related deaths, bee sting deaths are uncommon. Only roughly 60 people die annually from these pollinators. However, these surprising bee sting death statistics show the importance of always having epinephrine handy should you or someone near you get stung.