Florida officials have revealed that in just nine days 2,050 people have been stung in a ‘jellyfish siege.’
While beachgoers in Volusia County, Florida, were out celebrating Father’s Day and its accompany balmy weather on Sunday, they were also being stung en masse by jellyfish.
‘Day 9 of the jellyfish siege brought us another 250 stings, making a total of approximately 2,050 stings over the last nine days,’ Volusia County Beach Safety Capt. Andrew Ethridge told WFTV.
Florida’s Volusia County Beach Safety officials said that 250 people were stung by jellyfish Sunday, bringing the nine day, jellyfish sting total to 2,050 (stock image)
Officials also reported that 12 people had to be rescued from the ocean that day.
The jellyfish siege has been attributed to a larger than normal bloom of jellyfish in the waters off Volusia County, which has been pushed to shore due to winds and water currents.
A county spokesperson told WREG that the appearance of moon — or common — jellyfish in Volusia County’s waters occurs once or twice annually, but that it’s the volume of the jellyfish being seen right now that is unusual.
Some scientists said that warmer ocean temperatures, commercial fishing, artificial reefs and agricultural runoff are likely to be partially at fault for the increased number of jellyfish seen in this bloom.
![A jellyfish washed up on a Volusia County beach. Officials said jellyfish appear in the waters annually, but it's the volume of jellyfish being seen now that is unusual](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/18/16/4D611A9200000578-0-image-a-26_1529335521037.jpg)
A jellyfish washed up on a Volusia County beach. Officials said jellyfish appear in the waters annually, but it’s the volume of jellyfish being seen now that is unusual
![Volusia County covers popular Daytona Beach. Officials advise people stung by jellyfish to seek the attention of lifeguards, who will treat stings by rinsing them with vinegar](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/18/16/4D611AAE00000578-0-image-a-25_1529335512748.jpg)
Volusia County covers popular Daytona Beach. Officials advise people stung by jellyfish to seek the attention of lifeguards, who will treat stings by rinsing them with vinegar
However, the increase in people reporting jellyfish stings is likely the result of more people taking dips in the ocean, as opposed to ocean or weather temperature changes, other scientists said.
Volusia County safety officials advised that people who are stung by jellyfish should get out of the ocean and flag down a lifeguard, who can rinse the sting with vinegar.
‘It is important to not rub the area, which can make it worse,’ Ethridge said. ‘While jellyfish stings are painful, most are not life-threatening.’
Volusia County includes popular Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and the Greater New Smyrna Beach Area.