Irukandji Jellyfish
A Short Guide to Irukandji Jellyfish
The Irukandji jellyfish is a mysterious, silent and almost invisible killer who lives in the seas north of Australia. The range of this jelly runs from Gladstone in Queensland to Exmouth in Western Australia. There are two species of Irukandji jellyfish that are known – the Malo kingi and Carukia barnesi.
The Irukandji jellyfish can stray south of its normal waters as well. In 2007, the directors stopped filming a movie being shot near Hervey Bay, which is well further south than they were previously believed to travel.
The deadly Irukandji jellyfish first came to public attention in 2002, when a tourist from Britain was stung while he was swimming close to Hamilton Island. This was near the Queensland coast. He died a few days later from the stings. Shortly after that incident, a French tourist was stung, and was taken to a local hospital, where he eventually recovered. Later in the year, an American tourist died after a sting from the Irukandji jellyfish.
The Irukandji jellyfish is closely related to the box jellyfish, which is much better known. Visitors to the north Australian coast were always warned of the box jellyfish, and now they are warned about the Irukandji as well.
The deadly Irukandji jellyfish is only about two and a half centimeters across, and nearly impossible to see in the water. A sting victim doesn't even usually notice the small jelly before he or she is stung. Whereas the box jelly is mainly found in coastal waters, the Irukandji jellyfish can be found well away from the shoreline.
A sting from the Irukandji jellyfish does not feel as intense or serious as that of a box jelly, and that's why victims sometimes aren't taken to a medical facility fast enough to save them. The sting of an Irukandji often feels like an irritant, and a rash like prickly heat forms. When the serious symptoms are felt, it is often too late to save the victim.
The Irukandji's sting brings on symptoms which have been come to be referred to as Irukandji Syndrome. It usually is started off by a small venom amount. The victim generally experiences severe pain and muscle cramps in the legs and arms, and severe pain in the kidneys and back area. This is followed by a burning sensation on the face and skin, sweating, nausea, headaches, high heart rate and vomiting. These symptoms don't appear until about thirty minutes after the sting, so be aware and alert for them.
If you are in northern Australian waters during jellyfish season, be aware of any unexpected pain, no matter how minor it may seem at first. Watch for an accompanying rash, too. If you think you were stung by a jellyfish, of any species, apply first aid immediately and get transport to the nearest hospital.