Early Box Jellyfish Surge in Queensland

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Box- Jellyfish, Australia’s most dangerous jellyfish has arrived early in Queensland Waters, eight box jellyfish already caught, beachgoers have been warned.

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Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club president Cynthia Hegert, mentions that they usually start catching the jellyfish at the end of January or Mid- February, but this time the jellyfish are bigger and earlier.

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Lives have already been impacted.The Mackay region's hospitals have treated 21 people for marine stings since November, including one box jellyfish sting, seven from the tiny but venomous Irukandji, and thirteen from other jellyfish species.

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While Mackay is dealing with a rise in jellyfish, the coastal area in the north has seen an absence of jellyfish, this is due to Tropical Cyclone Jasper’s impact in December.

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Lifeguard Katelyn Master notes that the jellyfish are often found in coves and shallow waters.

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Despite warning signs and closing beaches, safety remains a challenge. If the beaches are closed , still the next day around 10 people will be in the water, notes Senior lifeguard Jon Murray.

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Public health medical officer Dr. Allison Hempenstall warns not to go in the water if there is no protective suit. She also emphasized that a quick response after a sting can save life.

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The Australian box jellyfish delivers an immediately and excruciatingly painful sting that should be considered life threatening. A major Chironex sting requires immediate medical attention.

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There are three key points beach visitors need to keep in mind: always check current warnings, wear protective clothing when swimming, and stick to patrolled areas.These steps would help prevent people from the potentially dangerous encounter with the deadly jellyfish.

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[{"selector":"#anim-56ec99e9-1fba-4845-99a1-9f452d65cf7b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-045df131-2956-4cd8-9a06-37eb96145602","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aa9dbc80-7819-4d0d-bf76-5e40c7c2450b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2ec3e9f-a9b4-4ebe-9054-286ea88760b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d16006c9-5d92-48d0-946c-0f29ef87d028","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.23810%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Warming Oceans Bring Record Whale Sightings to Southern California Learn more