The Centre for Health Protection warns people to handle a type of fruit called langsat with extra care. The warning comes after two women suffered scorpion stings on their fingers when handling the fruit.

A 64-year-old woman was stung on her right middle finger by a scorpion when as she removed the fruit from a plastic bag on May 2.

Her finger became swollen, numb and inflamed. She sought medical treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was discharged on May 3. 

A 32-year-old woman bought a bag of langsat from a Yau Ma Tei market on April 30. Her right little finger was stung by a scorpion when she took the fruit out of the refrigerator on May 3.

The finger grew numb and swollen. She sought medical attention from Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was discharged the next day.

As a scorpion may hide among the fruit in the bunch, people should hold the bunch's stalk and shake it vigorously under water before taking an individual langsat from the bunch to eat.