Sydney Beach Australia: 150 swimmers stung by jellyfish

Sydney Beach Australia: 150 swimmers stung by jellyfish

More than 150 swimmers had to be treated by paramedics after being stung by bluebottles
By: Oliver Koester
February 15, 2006
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AS SUMMER´S prevailing northeasterly wind blew a flotilla of poisonus bluebottle jellyfish on to Sydney beaches, more than 150 careless swimmers had to be treated for painful stings by paramedics.

Lifesavers on nearly every Sydney beach had to handle swimmers being stung by these poisonous jellyfish, reported Surf Life Saving NSW spokesman Stephan Leahy. About 150 stings have been reported, but none of them caused serious injuries.

Ironman champion Shannon Eckstein was a victim of the bluebottle as well, but he ignored his sting and claimed victory in the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain ironman series at Sydney's Coogee Beach immediately afterwards.

Summer´s prevailing northeasterly wind delivers usualy a flotilla of these unwelcome jellyfish to the beaches in the Sydney area. "That number of stings is normal at this time of the year given the prevailing wind conditions," Mr Leahy said. His statement is backed by an Australian government website, which claims that Physalia physalis, the bluebottle, or Portuguese man o'war, is a common, though unwanted summer visitor to Sydney beaches, blown to shore on a north-east wind from September to April.

Beachgoers are advised to take care as the sting of this creatures can be painful. It is highly recommended not to get in touch with them even when they lie dead on the beach. If stung, swimmers are advised to first try to remove any part of the jellyfish still sticking to the skin by washing with sea water before using tweezers or a gloved hand.


Resource:  News.com.au - January 29, 2006