Stings have been recorded from Childers to Broome, and a similar syndrome has been described elsewhere in the Pacific. Every summer, more than sixty people are hospitalized with this potentially fatal syndrome.
The initial sting of the jellyfish is usually not very painful. But about 5-45 (usually 30) minutes after being stung, the person starts to have a severe backache or headache and shooting pains in their muscles, chest and abdomen. They may also feel nauseous, anxious, restless and vomit. In rare cases, the victim suffers pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs) which could be fatal if not treated.
Carukia barnesi has a single retractile tentacle, from 50 to 500 mm long, hanging from each of the four corners of its bell.
In 1964, a doctor called Jack Barnes spent several hours in a wetsuit lying in the water near Cairns searching for a jellyfish responsible for 'irukandji syndrome' - a set of symptoms suffered after a jellyfish sting that could put the victim in hospital. Irukandji is the name of an aboriginal tribe that once lived in the area around Cairns in north Queensland.
To Dr Barnes' delight, a thumbnail-sized jellyfish swam past his mask. He stung himself, his son and a surf life saver to check that the jellyfish he had caught was responsible for 'irukandji syndrome'. All three ended up in hospital. For Dr Barnes' dedication, the tiny jellyfish was later called Carukia barnesi.
Report
on the latest medical research (Jan 2003)
Are irukandji deadly?
In January 2002, a tourist swimming near Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays died after being stung by a jellyfish. His death was reported by the press to have been caused by an irukandji.
The 58-year-old man had a pre-existing medical condition that made a jellyfish sting fatal. He had a valve replacement and was taking warfarin to thin his blood. After he was stung, his blood pressure increased which caused a brain hemorrhage leading to his death.
The jellyfish that stung the man was not collected and its identity remains a mystery.
As with most dangers, if you take the right precautions and are
aware of them, you can take steps to minimize the impact of the danger and
still enjoy all the wonderful beauty of the reef. The specialised
dive
operators in Cairns will take all precautions necessary to ensure you have
a safe and rewarding day out on the reef.
Habitat
Unlike
Chironex fleckeri (Box Jelly
Fish), Irukandji are found mostly in the deeper waters of the reef, although they may be swept inshore by prevailing currents. Divers and snorkellers are particularly at risk.
More Information
For more information on Marine Stingers and Jelly Fish please read this Interesting Interview between Christina James of Cairns Holiday Specialists with Senior Marine Stinger Advisor Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin Curator from the Natural Sciences Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston Tasmania Where they discuss the chances of being stung whilst swimming the Great Barrier Reef.
First Aid
Victims frequently require hospitalisation for analgesia and sometimes intravenous antihypertensive therapy; alpha-blocking agents such as phentolamine have been used for this purpose. Supraventricular tachycardia and transient dilated cardiomyopathy have been reported following Irukandji stings, and it has been suggested that serial echocardiography be performed to monitor the progress of severely affected patients. Analgesia is usually required, and may need to be given intravenously when pain is severe. First aid consists of analgesia and reassurance. The role of vinegar to inactivate undischarged nematocysts remains uncertain, with initial work proving inconclusive. No definitive treatment is currently available for the Irukandji syndrome. The Australian Venom Research Unit is currently involved in research to develop an antivenom to treat Irukandji envenomation.
**references obtained from reef.crc.org
and the university
of Melbourne
