There are several variations of this email but this one is untrue. In
fact, the spider mentioned in the email is the Two-Striped
Telamonia and although it is a real spider that lives in Singapore,
it is not venomous. If you receive this email, do not forward it. It
is an email hoax.
An article by Dr. Beverly Clark, in the Journal of the United Medical
Association (JUMA), the mystery behind a recent spate of deaths has been
solved. If you haven't already heard about it in the news, here is what
happened.
Three women in North Florida turned up at hospitals over a 5-day period,
all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting, followed by muscular
collapse, paralysis, and finally, death. There were no outward signs of
trauma. Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood.
These women did not know each other, and seemed to have nothing in common.
It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the same Restaurant
(Olive Garden) within days of their deaths. The health department descended
on the restaurant, shutting it down. The food, water, and air conditioning
were all inspected and tested, to no avail.
The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant was rushed to the
hospital with similar symptoms... She told doctors that she had been on
vacation, and had only went to the restaurant to pick up her check. She
did not eat or drink while she was there, but had used the restroom.
That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article he had read, drove
out to the restaurant, went i nto the restroom, and lifted the toilet
seat.
Under the seat, out of normal view, was a small spider. The spider was
captured and brought back to the lab, where it was determined to be the
Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata), so named because of its reddened
flesh color. This spider's venom is extremely toxic, but can take several
days to take effect. They live in cold, dark, damp climates, and toilet
rims provide just the right atmosphere...
Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up at a hospital
emergency room. Before his death, he told the doctor, that he had been
away on business, had taken a flight from Indonesia, changing planes in
Singapore, before returning home. He did not visit (Olive Garden), while
there. He did, as did all of the other victims, have what was determined
to be a puncture wound, on his right buttock.
Inves tigators discovered that the flight he was on had originated in
India. The Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an immediate inspection
of the toilets of all flights from India, and discovered the Two-Striped
Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata) spider's nests on 4 different planes!
It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere in the country.
So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat to check for
spiders. It can save your life! And please pass this on to everyone you
care about.
