A surge in fire ant stings has led to 23 hospitalisations in south-east Queensland, with authorities scrambling to contain the invasive pest after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Reports have also emerged of the first confirmed pet fatality caused by fire ants in the state.
Since 1 March, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program has received reports of 60 serious red imported fire ant (RIFA) stings, with nearly two dozen severe enough to require hospital treatment. A Queensland puppy that died 15 months ago has now been confirmed as the first pet victim of the aggressive insects.
A spokesperson for the program warned that fire ants deliver intensely painful stings, which can trigger severe allergic reactions in humans and animals. Data from the National Allergy Centre of Excellence and Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia shows that up to 7.5% of people stung require medical attention.
Reece Pianta, advocacy manager at the Invasive Species Council, said most people stung were involved in cyclone clean-up efforts, highlighting the significant risk fire ants pose to outdoor workers and nature lovers.
"This is a warning of what could happen nationwide if fire ant populations continue to spread unchecked," Pianta said.
Rising Threat to Pets and Wildlife
The impact on pets is becoming clearer, with increasing reports of animals suffering severe allergic reactions or fatalities due to fire ant stings.
Fifteen months ago, Ebony Britton's puppy was found dead on a fire ant nest in Greenbank, near Logan. Pianta confirmed that this is the first pet death in Queensland directly linked to fire ants.
He blamed the explosion in fire ant numbers on repeated flooding events, underfunding, and inadequate support for property owners, warning that floodwaters exacerbate the spread of the super-pest.
"I can easily list half a dozen locations south of Brisbane where I’d find 100 nests right now. That’s a drastic change over the past 18 months," he said.
Modelling suggests that if fire ants become endemic, up to 150,000 Australians could require medical attention for stings each year.
Queensland Government Ramps Up Suppression Efforts
In response to the crisis, the Queensland government has announced a $24 million boost to the state's Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce. Over the next two years, the initiative will target 212,000 hectares of land, focusing on high-density areas along the Logan and Albert rivers and parts of the Scenic Rim.
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries, Tony Perrett, said the funding would be instrumental in reducing fire ant populations by up to 80% within the suppression zone.
"We're hitting fire ants hard, doubling down on suppression efforts before they impact more Queenslanders," Perrett said. "By working alongside other states and the Commonwealth, I’m confident we can prevent a full-scale invasion."
However, Pianta stressed that federal funding is essential to tackling the problem effectively.
"The timing of this funding boost is crucial, but we need a federal commitment at the upcoming election. Queenslanders are deeply concerned about this issue, and we need national action now," he said.
A Growing National Threat
Fire ants, native to South America, are believed to have arrived in Australia via infected shipping materials at the Port of Brisbane in 2001, though they may have been present since 1992. Recognisable by their reddish-brown bodies and darker abdomens, these aggressive pests pose a serious risk to native wildlife, agriculture, and outdoor activities.
The infestation now covers more than 700,000 hectares in the Brisbane region, with recent detections in Oakey, the Sunshine Coast, and even northern New South Wales. Without decisive action, experts warn the pest could spread further across Australia, endangering both public health and biodiversity.
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Mitchell
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