a uniquely Australian problem
Keywords
Jack Jumper ant, Jumper Ant, Hopper Ant, Bull dog ant, anaphylaxis, insect allergy, ant allergy
Introduction
Allergic reactions to stinging ants are an important cause of anaphylaxis in Australia and the southern United States. Allergic reactions to the Jack Jumper ant (also known as the Jumper Ant, Hopper Ant) are a uniquely Australian problem, although other species such as the Green Ant of Queensland, and introduced South American Fire Ant cause occasional allergic reactions.
 What is a Jack Jumper Ant?
Most Australian native stinging ants are from the genus Myrmecia. This group is broadly subdivided into "Jumper ants" and "Bull Dog ants". Bull Dog ants are large, around 15-25 mm long, whereas Jumper ants are generally 10 to 15mm long and often display jerky, jumping movements. Jumper Ants are also known as "Hopper Ants" or "Skipper Ants" in South Australia. The Jumper Ant most frequently associated with allergic reactions is commonly known as the "Jack Jumper Ant" , "Jack Jumper" or "Jumping Jack". Jack Jumpers have a black body and orange/brown jaws/pincers and limbs.
Jumper ants sting rather than bite
Like bees and wasps, they do not bite. Rather, they grasp the victim in their jaws, then bend and sting them. The sting is in the tail! They are aggressive, typically walk with a hopping motion, and can sometimes "jump" from surrounding vegetation.
The Jack jumper ant has a widespread distribution
These ants are found in Tasmania, Victoria, The ACT, the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and coastal New South Wales, the Adelaide Hills in South Australia, and with some pockets reported in the Blue Mountains, some parts of Western Australia and Queensland. It is likely that there are other (as yet undescribed) habitats as well, and that observations relate to interactions between ant colonies and human habitats.
Nests are often difficult to find
Ants live in underground nests. Although established nests can form massive mounds, they are often difficult to find, and may be present under rock, with the entrance surrounded by a pile of fine gravel. Typically, a couple of sentry ants are present at the entrance. The ants are aggressive, and often hunt alone. They will stray away from the nest, and at times find their way into people's houses and kitchens. It is very difficult to avoid being stung by jumper ant in endemic areas, when nests are located close to human inhabitants.
Allergic reactions may occur to ant stings
There are different types of allergic reactions to stinging insects. The stings of jumper ants, like those of bees and wasps, are very painful. Local swelling is very common. Large local swellings can also occur, lasting a few days at a time. The most serious reactions are known as generalised allergic reactions, of which the most severe is called anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is the most serious type of allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis occurs after exposure to an allergen (such as food, insect sting or medicine), to which a person is already extremely sensitive. It results in potentially life-threatening symptoms, including:
- Difficulty/noisy breathing
- Swelling of tongue
- Swelling/tightness in throat
- Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
- Wheeze or persistent cough
- Chest tightness
- Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Confusion, loss of consciousness and/or collapse
- Pale and floppy (in young children)
In some cases, anaphylaxis is preceded by less dangerous allergic symptoms, such as:
- Swelling of face, lips and eyes
- Congestion and watering of the nose and eyes
- Hives or welts on the skin
- Headaches, anxiety, flushing
Anaphylaxis to Jumper Ant stings is not rare
In areas where jumper ants are common, population surveys have shown that between 2 and 3 per cent of people have had generalised allergic reactions, and in around half of these people the reactions can be life-threatening. Deaths from jumper ant stings and anaphylaxis have occurred in Australia, with several recorded cases in recent years. Since allergy as a cause of death can be difficult to detect at post mortem , it is conceivable that deaths due to sting allergy are under-reported.
Jumper Ant allergy does not disappear quickly
Follow-up studies have shown that around 70 per cent of people with jumper ant allergy, will have another allergic reaction if re-stung. This sensitivity to repeat stings appears to persist for many years.
Diagnosing Jumper Ant allergy
There is currently no skin allergy test available outside of ant allergy research programmes in Tasmania. A blood allergy test is available from SouthPath Laboratories, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042. Tests can be arranged with your doctor and local pathology laboratory. There may be a small out-of-pocket cost for this test, which detects around three-quarters of cases of Jumper ant allergy.
Management options
Patients with allergic reactions to jumper ants, as with other allergies, need to avoid the trigger (where possible), carry emergency medication (adrenaline/EpiPen) and know what to do if accidental exposure occurs. Wearing a MedicAlert (or similar) bracelet may provide additional information to attending doctors or ambulance officers.
- Avoiding Jumper Ants
- Other measures
- Emergency action plan
- Prospects for immunotherapy
Avoiding Jumper ants
Jumper ants are difficult to avoid in endemic areas, as they often stray long distances from the nests. Destroying nearby nests has been proposed to reduce the risk of accidental stings, but may not prevent stings from nests located further away. Wearing heavy clothing such as boots and gloves when in the bush or when gardening seems sensible, but the ants can still sting through heavy clothing. Whether moving from endemic areas to another area may help is uncertain.
Other measures
- Those allergic to Jumper Ants should carry a means of summoning assistance if stung, such as a mobile telephone.
- They should not travel alone in remote areas, and consider carrying an emergency satellite beacon and additional emergency medication if traveling in areas without easy access to medical assistance.
- Some doctors advise their patients to take non-drowsy antihistamine when walking in remote areas where Jumper Ants (also applies to bees, wasps, ticks) are common. It is important to note that this measure will NOT prevent a serious allergic reaction. Although antihistamines might possibly help relieve very mild symptoms, there is no evidence currently that they will prevent a serious allergic reaction. Adrenaline/EpiPen is the ONLY medication proven to help with serious allergic reactions. The cost of taking antihistamines daily for a long period also needs to be balanced against the option of spending this money instead for purchasing an additional EpiPen.
- There is some evidence that certain medications used in the management of blood pressure and heart problems may worsen anaphylaxis or interfere with the action of adrenaline administered in an emergency. This poorly defined risk, however, needs to be balanced against the benefits that these medications provide. Patients taking any form of blood pressure or heart medication should discuss the relative risk and benefits of their use with their allergy specialist and perhaps a heart specialist/cardiologist.
- All patients with stinging insect anaphylaxis should be referred to an immunology/allergy specialist for assessment and advice.
Emergency Action Plan
Patients with life-threatening (anaphylactic) reactions should:
- Seek urgent medical assistance if stung.
- Carry (and know how to use) an automatic adrenaline injector (EpiPen). Adrenaline acts as a natural "antidote" to some of the chemicals released during severe allergic reactions. This is the only medicine able to counteract the dangerous effects of anaphylaxis. Medications taken orally, such as antihistamines or steroids, have no effect on the immediate and dangerous effects of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline should be considered as First Aid for the treatment of anaphylaxis.
- It is important to note that in some cases, more than one dose of EpiPen may be necessary. Even if the EpiPen has been highly effective at relieving symptoms, continue to seek emergency medical care without delay. Subjects who have had a serious allergic reaction should be held at medical care under continuous observation for at least four (4) hours after resolution of all abnormal symptoms and signs (with the exception of the reaction at the sting).
Using the EpiPen
Make sure you know how to use the EpiPen and refresh your memory from time to time, so that you know what to do in an emergency. You can get instructions for using EpiPen and EpiPen Jr from:
- Your GP or allergy specialist who prescribed the EpiPen. EpiPen Trainers (without a needle) can be used for practice.
- Your Anaphylaxis Action Plan. These contain clear pictures and instructions and should be kept with the EpiPen. Instructions for use of EpiPen are available from the Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) website www.allergy.org.au
- Consumer Medicine Information for EpiPen and EpiPen Jr also include pictures and a step-by-step guide.
Prospects for immunotherapy
Commercial venom extracts are available in Australia for the diagnosis and treatment of patients allergic to honey bees and Paper wasps and European wasps. At this time, there is no commercial venom extract available for skin testing to confirm jumper ant allergy or to use for immunotherapy (desensitisation, allergy injections), to switch off the allergy. In the last couple of years however, a study performed by Australian doctors in Tasmania demonstrated that Jumper Ant venom extracts were very effective at switching off Jumper Ant allergy, and preventing allergic reactions when patients were re-stung. Members of ASCIA are attempting to make this treatment more widely available by lobbying for government and commercial support for further research.
Check for updates
If you or a family member are allergic to Jumper Ants, you should check this page from time to time. ASCIA members are actively involved in researching this uniquely Australian problem, and important updates on treatment options and research programmes will be posted here when available.
Further information
General information on stinging insect allergy http://www.allergy.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=172&Itemid=154
Anaphylaxis http://www.allergy.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=178&Itemid=164
Anaphylaxis Action Plans
Using EpiPen http://www.allergy.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=191&Itemid=153
MJA article http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/175_12_171201/brown.html
References
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Disclaimer:
The content of this brochure has been reviewed by ASCIA members, represents the available published literature at the time of review,is not influenced by its sponsors and is not intended to replaceprofessional medical advice. Any questions regarding a medicaldiagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.
For further information on allergy, asthma or immune diseasesvisit www.allergy.org.au - the website of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
ASCIA is the peak professional body of Clinical Allergistsand Immunologists in Australia and New Zealand.
Content Last updated April 2008
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