- Hospital admissions in England for spider bites have doubled over the last decade, rising from 47 in 2015 to 100 in 2025, according to provisional NHS figures.
- Experts attribute this increase to an "explosion" in the population of noble false widow spiders, a species described as the "most dangerous spider breeding in Britain."
- The noble false widow, originally from Madeira and the Canary Islands, is now significantly more abundant, particularly in southern England, and is more willing to bite than previously thought.
- While bites can cause pain and itching, the more serious risks stem from bacteria carried by the spider, potentially leading to amputation, sepsis, or even death.
- Academics advise the public to be aware of the risks posed by false widows without being alarmed, noting that basic precautions can minimise the chances of being bitten.
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