This is the 9732nd most frequent Swedish word.
gissel
Whip; scourge; torment.
In this sentence, 'gissel' is used metaphorically to describe the scorpion as a persistent and dangerous presence or nuisance in the desert environment.
Skorpionen är ett gissel i öknen.
The scorpion is a scourge in the desert.
Here, 'gissel' conveys the idea of the illness being a source of suffering or hardship.
Han såg sin sjukdom som ett gissel i livet.
He saw his illness as a torment in life.
In this case, 'gissel' is used to articulate the inconvenience and frustration caused by traffic congestion to the residents.