Experts warn of killer invisible Irukandji jellyfish are migrating down Australia’s east coast

Stay out of the water! Experts warn killer invisible jellyfish are migrating down Australia’s east coast – and their sting is 1000 times more deadly than a tarantula

  • Irukandji jellyfish can be found in 26 degree water are migrating to Queensland
  • Beachgoers warned after it was caught off the coast of Fraser Island this year
  • The jellyfish is the size of $2 coin and sting is 1000 times stronger than  tarantula

Killer invisible jellyfish the size of a $2 coin are migrating down Australia’s east coast and experts are warning their sting is 1000 times stronger than a tarantula. 

The Irukandji jellyfish, a hyper-venomous species of box jellyfish, are typically found in the waters in Queensland’s far north.

But after a jellyfish was captured off the coast of Fraser Island earlier this year experts have fears the deadly jellyfish are breaking tradition and migrating south.  

If the jellyfish continues to move south it could reach Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and then the Gold Coast, with devastating impacts on the tourism hotspots.  

Killer invisible jellyfish, the Irukandji jellyfish (pictured) the size of a $2 coin are migrating down Australia’s east coast

'A further concern for beachgoers and the Queensland tourism industry is the potential for the increased southerly distribution of the highly venomous irukandji jellyfish'

‘A further concern for beachgoers and the Queensland tourism industry is the potential for the increased southerly distribution of the highly venomous irukandji jellyfish’

Irukandji jellyfish

  • Irukandji may be the smallest jellyfish in the world 
  • It is tiny and translucent, and difficult to spot
  • Can be found in South East Asia, to the Caribbean, Hawaii, South Africa and the United Kingdom
  • If you get stung you will suffer symptoms of lower backache or a headache, overall body pain, muscular cramps or shooting pains in the victim’s muscles, chest and abdomen, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties

According to a recent report by the Climate Council of Australia, the deadly sea creature is spreading further south and their season is lengthening.

‘Increased temperatures and changed rainfall patterns in northern Australia can increase the risks of mosquito-borne disease and may lead to the re-emergence of other tropical diseases such as malaria,’ the report read.

‘A further concern for beachgoers and the Queensland tourism industry is the potential for the increased southerly distribution of the highly venomous irukandji jellyfish.’ 

The Irukandji jellyfish is invisible in the water and able to fire stingers from its tentacles and inject venom into its victims.

Immediate action is required or the victim will suffer through excruciating pain in the back and kidneys, burning sensation of the skin, as well as headaches, nausea, sweating, vomiting, and an increase in heart rate and bloody pressure.

It could also cause fatal brain haemorrhages which sends on average 50-100 people to the hospital, and from 1883 to late 2005, the box jellyfish has accounted for at least 70 recorded deaths. 

However, according to the Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services, swimmers should be more concerned about getting sunburnt because the chances of being stung are ‘very low’.

A sting by the jellyfish could also cause fatal brain haemorrhages which sends on average 50-100 people to the hospital

A sting by the jellyfish could also cause fatal brain haemorrhages which sends on average 50-100 people to the hospital

  

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