Swimmer stung by Irukandji jellyfish off Radical Bay, Magnetic Island
Swimmers are being urged to take extra care in waters off Magnetic Island after a woman was stung multiple times by a deadly Irukandji jellyfish and flown to hospital.
Townsville
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Swimmers are being urged to take extra care in waters off Magnetic Island after a woman was stung multiple times by a deadly Irukandji jellyfish and flown to hospital.
A 36-year-old woman was stung on the legs by a irukandji at Radical Bay around noon on Sunday and rushed to the nearby beach at Horseshoe Bay where she sought help from the lifeguards on duty.
The woman was taken to the Magnetic Island Health Service before she was flown off the island to Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition.
Lifeguard supervisor Mitchell Knight said they had closed Horseshoe Bay beach for 24 hours after the incident while they did precautionary marine stinger drags in the area.
It comes after another swimmer was stung by a jellyfish at Horeshoe Bay last week.
Mr Knight said they’re advising swimmers to be vigilant, swim between the flags and either check in with lifeguards on duty or checking the Beachsafe app for the latest advice.
He said they have been doing additional patrols to ensure people were informed.
“Irukandji have been quite active with the weather conditions and warmer water temperatures the way they are at the moment,” he said.
“We’ve had calmer winds and their plankton food source is around the island.”
Meanwhile in Townsville, a big box jellyfish was snapped swimming by the Breakwater Marina on Monday morning.
The Irukandji jellyfish, small yet extraordinarily venomous, typically reach a size of approximately one cubic centimetre.
Their venomous stings have the potential to induce dangerously high blood pressure or disrupt cardiac function, posing a lethal threat.
Additionally, victims may experience intense muscular pain, heightened anxiety, severe headaches, and persistent vomiting.
Immediate treatment is crucial, with affected areas requiring extensive rinsing in vinegar or seawater until professional medical assistance can arrive.
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Originally published as Swimmer stung by Irukandji jellyfish off Radical Bay, Magnetic Island
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