allergies
18 people attacked by swarm of hornets at German wine festival
Festival-goers were rushed to the hospital after being stung by a swarm of hornets.
Helicopter sprays 220 kids with insecticide
15 young children were taken to hospital late on Friday after bug-busting authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia accidentally dumped toxic insecticide over a primary school during playtime.
Hay fever set to follow winter colds
People in Germany who suffer from hay fever should keep their handkerchiefs at the ready - winter colds are likely to be replaced almost seamlessly by pollen, with experts speaking of a coming explosion.
Poisonous caterpillars plague Germany
A rapidly-spreading population of poisonous caterpillars is causing alarm all over Germany after migrating out of forests to build their nests in gardens, parks, and even streets.
Bug-busters spray Rhineland trees to head off caterpillar threat
Teams of bug-busters have been deployed to the roads of western Germany to spray trees to rid them of poisonous hairy caterpillars which can seriously damage human health.
Barn dust prevents allergies in farm kids, scientists discover
Researchers in Bochum believe they have isolated a substance in cowshed dust that protects farm children from developing allergies and asthma, according to a report published this month.
Good and bad news for allergy sufferers this year
Winter might have been brutally long in Germany this year, but allergy sufferers will benefit – sort of. Pollen isn't expected to begin plaguing people until two weeks later than normal, but the delay could make allergies much more intense.
High-tech pollen forecasting aims to help allergy sufferers
Itchy eyes and runny noses herald the start of what could be a brutal allergy season this spring. Michael Dumiak reports on the German Weather Service’s new high-tech pollen forecasting that will let you know exactly why you’re sneezing.