‘Arrived early’: Health warning for Aussie beachgoers

One of Australia’s most venomous creatures has arrived early this year, with authorities warning beachgoers to be alert.

The box jellyfish has come to the north of Queensland early as heat, rain and calm winds have all combined to create the perfect conditions for the dangerous sea creatures.

According to authorities, there have already been 75 closures of Queensland beaches due to the stingers this season.

Senior lifeguard Jon Murray said Aussie beachgoers ignoring warnings from authorities which could have consequences for them.

“If the beaches are closed, we will have four or five signs in the 50m area but then the guard the next day will rock up and 10-people will be in the water,” he told Seven News.

Lifesavers at Eimeo Beach at Mackay, in northern Queensland, say they caught eight box jellyfish during a single drag of the water this week.

Aussies are being warned box jellyfish are starting to appear in the water this summer.

“Usually, we don’t start catching box jellyfish of decent size until the end of January, mid-February,” Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club president Cynthia Hegerty told ABC.

“This year I feel that we’re getting them a little bit bigger, a little bit earlier.”

The warning goes beyond Mackay with health authorities are warning all Cape York, Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area residents to take care while swimming due to recent sightings of box jellyfish.

Public health medical officer Allison Hempenstall said there had been numerous sightings of box jellyfish this season.

“It’s a timely warning to take precautions when swimming in the sea in any northern waters,” she said.

Dr Hempenstall said swimmers can avoid being stung by wearing protective clothing such as a wetsuit or lycra suit.

“If you don’t have a protective suit and you know there could be stingers or jellyfish in the water, just don’t go in,” she said.

Box jellyfish have been found earlier than normal this summer. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Hempenstall said Queenslanders needed to understand how to deal with a jellyfish sting.

“It’s also important that people are familiar with resuscitation methods – early resuscitation after major stings from box jellies has saved lives in the past few years,’’ she said.

She also said several types of jellyfish in tropical Australian waters can cause pain as each is different in appearance and requires different treatment.

“The Australian box jellyfish, or Chironex fleckeri, is extremely dangerous and a constant threat through the warmer months on the Northern Queensland coast,” Torres Cape Health said.

“A major Chironex sting is immediately and excruciatingly painful.

“It should be considered life threatening.”

Large box jellies such as Chironex have caused more than 70 fatalities in Australia.

Originally published as ‘Arrived early’: Health warning for Aussie beachgoers