Bowen Irukandji stings: Three children hospitalised

Children aged 13, 11 and seven were flown to Mackay and Townsville hospitals for treatment after painful Irukandji stings. Ambulances have taken two others taken to hospital.

A day after three children were flown to hospital with painful Irukandji stings at Bowen, two others have ended up in hospital from clashes with stingers.

An ambulance took a Clairview woman, 57, to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition after a suspected jellyfish sting at 3.16pm on Thursday.

Another swimmer was taken to Proserpine Hospital at 4.23pm in a stable condition after a marine sting to the leg at Dingo Beach.

Eimeo Beach was closed on Thursday too after the morning’s drag caught a box jellyfish and there have been reports of at least one sting at Shoal Point.

The three children swimming at Bowen’s Front Beach on Wednesday afternoon are believed to be recovering from their Irukandji stings.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service confirmed an 11-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy were flown to Townsville University Hospital for treatment, and a seven-year-old girl was flown to Mackay Base Hospital.

All three were in a stable condition.

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

MHHS reminded the community Irukandji stings cause extreme pain and can be a potentially lethal condition.

“The initial sting is often innocuous and usually not felt, but this can develop into a progressive syndrome (over minutes to hours) characterised by restlessness, sweating, nausea, vomiting and severe pain affecting the limbs, back, abdomen or chest,” a spokeswoman said.

Irukandji can sting through any small holes in stinger suits.

For suspected Irukandji syndrome, irrigate the site with water and then douse with vinegar before going to the nearest hospital for medical assessment.

“Please consider staying out of the water – we know it’s hot – but be aware there are stingers and jellyfish about,” the spokeswoman said.

“If you decide to swim please wear a stinger suit but remember Irukandji can still sting through any small holes in the suit and on your face and other areas not protected by the fabric.”

RACQ CQ Rescue confirmed one of its choppers transported a seven year old to Mackay after she went to Bowen Hospital for treatment.

Queensland Ambulance Service was not involved in the response.

In a separate incident, a patient was transported to Joyce Palmer Hospital in a stable condition following a reported marine sting at a private residence on Palm Island at 4.05pm.

Originally published as Bowen Irukandji stings: Three children hospitalised