160 stung by jellyfish
Pastor Dale Morgan
160 stung by jellyfish*
By Rachael Langford
January 13, 2007 07:08pm
Article from: AAP
AUSTRALIA - MORE THAN 160 beach-goers were stung and two beaches were
closed as a northerly wind change drove blue bottle jellyfish shorewards
in south east Queensland.
More than 100 people were stung at Noosa and Rainbow beach on the
Sunshine Coast, a Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) spokeswoman said.
However, none required hospitalisation.
On the Gold Coast, 60 people were stung at seven beaches, a SLSQ
spokesman said.
Three of the jellyfish victims suffered allergic reactions and were
taken to hospitals at the Gold Coast.
Burleigh Heads and Neptunes beaches were briefly closed due to the large
numbers of blue bottle jellyfish.
SLSQ Gold Coast Duty Officer Kevin Dunn said while the number of
jellyfish stings was extremely high, it was not unusual.
"We've been hit really badly today, mainly because those northerly winds
came through.
"Blue bottles normally turn up at this time of year ... They are always
there, but when the winds change, they tend to blow back onto our beaches.
"They are an amazing little creature, they are only about the size of a
tea cup, sometimes a little larger, but some of their stingers run up to
three metres long.''
Blue bottle jellyfish stings are treated with ice, however, if the
victim suffers an allergic reaction, they must seek medical assistance.