Cairns beaches reopened after Irukandji stings

Surf Life Saving Queensland has provided an update on the status of Far Northern beaches, after another jellyfish sting was reported, bringing the week’s total to seven.

SEVEN Far Northerners have now been treated within the week after suffering a marine envenomation, however Far Northern beaches have reopened.

On Thursday, a man in his 30s was transported to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition following a reported marine sting to the arm at a location off Buckley St, Yorkeys Knob at 6.06pm, Queensland Ambulance Service reported.

It followed a spate of Irukandji stings earlier in the week, where six envenomations in 48 hours led to a number of beach closures across the Far North.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) North Queensland lifeguard supervisor Jay March said Ellis Beach, Palm Cove, Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach had reopened on Friday.

Swimmers at several northern beaches in Cairns were treated by paramedics for irukandji symptoms earlier this week after being stung by jellyfish. The presence of stingers closed Trinity Beach for a second day, which has since reopened. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We had a south east breeze for two days which is the weather we needed, and all our drags (a process of searching for jellyfish inside the nets), came back clear, so we’re open again,” he said.

Mr March said a beach closure was triggered by either a sting or a capture of a jellyfish, however the incident at Yorkeys Knob did not occur at the patrolled area of the beach, rather near the Half Moon Bay boat ramp.

Earlier in the week, Mr March urged people to be aware of beach closures and follow advice.

“It is typical for this time of year with northerly and easterly winds changing the currents, making it conducive for Irukandji to be around,” Mr March said.

A tiny but fully grown deadly Irukandji jellyfish lies next to match sticks for size comparison.

“If you are stung you might not know it for 40 minutes, then you develop Irukandji syndrome and that is a trip to hospital, and overnight stay, and it is very painful.”

Signs and symptoms can include severe backache or headache, shooting pains in muscles, chest and abdomen, nausea, anxiety, restlessness, vomiting and breathing difficulties.

“We close the beaches for a reason, go find a pool or swimming hole – emergency services are under enough stress as it is with Covid, the last thing they need is more patients, and we are trying to keep everyone as safe as we can.”

Originally published as Cairns beaches reopened after Irukandji stings