A woman was hospitalized after being stung by a scorpion at Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday night, March 2, 2025. The 40-year-old woman was reportedly stung around 7:30 p.m. as she retrieved her luggage from the baggage claim area of U.S. Customs, located in Terminal E, according to Massachusetts State Police.
Officials have reported the woman was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but as of now, her condition remains unknown. Neither her name nor details about the medical facility have been disclosed. While the Massachusetts Port Authority has not released additional information about the incident, it is currently under investigation by State Police.
The circumstances surrounding how the scorpion made its way to the airport are still unclear. Jessica Garb, an associate professor at UMass Lowell, speculated, "It’s conceivable the scorpion could have somehow got entangled in some luggage, unintentionally, and got transported to Boston. Their intended targets are not humans." This unexpected encounter has raised eyebrows and caused concern among passengers at Logan International Airport.
Passengers expressed mixed reactions to the incident. Passenger Elena Nkorsunski remarked, “Very hard to check for it, I’m assuming. I mean, what are you going to do, check for moving things?” Meanwhile, Andrew Davies, another traveler, voiced his concerns too, stating, "It’s probably hiding somewhere. I would be concerned. I mean, I am going to Germany. I hope there’s not a scorpion; that's a little nerve-wracking."
Discussing the health implications of the sting, Dr. Michael Simpson of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center noted, “Most of the time, people just get really bad pain.” The Mayo Clinic confirms such stings can be painful but are typically not life-threatening, especially for healthy adults. They advise treating the stings with proper medical attention, which may include pain management and wound care.
Nonetheless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns there can be severe complications from scorpion stings, particularly affecting young children and the elderly. Symptoms may include agitation, arrhythmias, and even severe organ damage. The CDC provides recommendations on how to avoid stings, emphasizing precautions like shaking out clothing and shoes and checking for hidden scorpions.
Logan Airport is one of the busiest airports on the East Coast, with thousands of flights arriving and departing monthly. Notably, last February alone witnessed over 22,000 domestic flights and nearly 3,700 international flights. While scorpions are not typical visitors to the Boston area—most reside primarily in desert territories of the southwestern United States—this incident has certainly raised questions about the potential for such creatures to hitch rides on luggage.
Carlos Santibanez, assistant professor at Western Connecticut State University, elaborated the happened experience, saying, “Like a hot needle gets its way to your skin,” reflecting on the sting sensation. He also mentioned the rarity of such incidents, declaring he has never witnessed anything like this occur. Santibanez highlighted the various habitats of scorpions across the globe, affirming their presence on every continent except Antarctica and mentioning there are over 2,000 different species, of which only around 60 possess deadly venom.
While the origin of the Boston airport's scorpion remains unknown, this incident has prompted significant public interest and concern. With authorities continuing their investigation, more updates are expected as they seek to shed light on how this unusual occurrence transpired.
Scorpion encounters are seldom reported at airports. For passengers and airport personnel alike, this surreal twist of fate highlights the unpredictable nature of travel and the eclectic mix of creatures often found throughout the world. Should the scorpion still be lurking around Terminal E, travelers and airport staff may need to stay vigilant.