New ‘killer’ spiders spark panic in India

Large biting spiders have sparked panic in remote north-east India, but health authorities fear primitive treatment of the bites may be more dangerous than the spiders themselves.

Two people died in Assam after witch doctors used razor blades to drain the wounds. It is not known if the victims died from spider venom or from the treatment. Local magistrate Kishore Thakuria said the victims were cremated before autopsies could be done.

Another seven victims have been treated with antibiotics.

Ecologist LR Saikia at Assam’s Dibrugarh University said the spider may be a previously unknown species of tarantula.