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UNKNOWN JELLYFISH STING CAUSES ONGOING PROBLEMS
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The sting of an unknown jellyfish species offshore in Far North Queensland
caused immediate and severe pain, multiple whip-like skin lesions and cardiac and other symptoms, according to a case report in the latest issue of Emergency Medicine, the journal of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.
The stings (nematocysts) were similar to, but distinct from, those of Carukia barnesi, a cause of the "Irukandji" syndrome.
Some of the patient's symptoms have lasted for 17 months.
"This case highlights the envenomation risks associated with marine recreation, the need for critical evaluation of certain cardiac enzymes and for further research in marine toxicology," commented Associate Professor David Taylor, director of emergency medicine research at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Associate Professor Taylor conducted the study with Dr Peter Pereira, director of emergency medicine at Cairns Base Hospital, Dr Jamie Seymour, senior lecturer in biological sciences at James Cook University, and Dr Kenneth Winkel, director of the Australian Venom Research Unit at the University of Melbourne.
In Australia, jellyfish stings are the leading cause of illness and death due to venomous marine creatures.
As marine recreation activities increase in tropical Australia, new envenomation syndromes and new species of medically significant jellyfish are likely to be encountered, the researchers say.
"We describe a severe sting, caused by an unidentified jellyfish, affecting a tourist snorkelling offshore in North Queensland.
"This case highlights the need for ongoing research into venomous marine creatures and the injuries they cause."
The patient was a 34-year-old tourist snorkelling in 12 metres of water on the outer portion of the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland.
"The fact that the victim of this jellyfish sting was an international tourist is consistent with the previously identified importance of water-related recreation injuries amongst overseas travellers in Australia," Associate Professor Taylor said.
"A significant proportion of snorkelling, scuba related deaths and decompression illnesses, and surf beach related drownings are associated with international tourists."
New jellyfish sting syndromes and reports of previously unknown species are beginning to appear in the medical literature.
This case highlights the envenomation risks associated with marine recreation, Associate Professor Taylor said.
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