Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Deadly Box Jellyfish

An official warning issued by the Phuket Marine Bological Center (PMBC) confirms that the potentially deadly box jellyfish have arrived in the waters around Phuket, Thailand.

The box jellyfish were found in a fish trap. The jellyfish prefer the shallower brackish waters. A two-day collection recovered another eighteen more in the same area.

This follows a reported death of a Swedish Tourist in the waters off Koh Lanta. In early April another person was reportedly stung in these same waters.

The box jellyfish can have a potentially deadly sting. The toxin from the tentacles can travel to the heart in four minutes, causing cardiac arrest.

Regular household vinegar is one of the best medicines. Vinegar can slow the toxins entering the blood stream lessening the effect of a sting.

Local authorities recommend bringing a small bottle of vinegar to the beach in case of a box jellyfish sting. This method also works on other types of jellyfish stings.

If anyone is suspected to have been stung by a box jellyfish, apply vinegar to the sting. If the victim falls into cardiac arrest, begin CPR immediately.

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