May 2, 2008

Hospital has one wing and thousands of legs

A tiny hospital in Baralaba, Australia is fighting a poisonous spider infestation.

The Baralaba Multi Purpose Health Service will close for 24 hours starting Thursday morning so officials can fumigate the building to get rid of redback spiders (see photo) that have been found in large numbers in the main part of the hospital.

Redback spiders, common throughout most of the country, have a painful bite and a toxic venom, although an anti-venom is available.

The redback spider looks much like the black widow spider.

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