Beach Closures Issued As Deadly Jellyfish Numbers Grow

While the scorching heat in the region calls for a dip in our beautiful ocean waters, lifeguards and medical professionals are urging locals to stay out of the water as much as possible due to an influx of jellyfish stings.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) reported five recent jellyfish stings in the Mackay region. This includes one box jellyfish sting in December, two Irukandji stings (one in November and one in December), and two other jellyfish stings (one in December and one in January).

Collectively, Proserpine and Bowen Hospitals reported 15 cases of jellyfish stings in the past month. This includes three Irukandji stings recorded in January and seven jellyfish stings (five in December and two in January) at Proserpine Hospital. Bowen Hospital reported two Irukandji stings in January and four jellyfish stings in December.

Among these statistics, on the 10th of January, a young girl was rushed to Mackay Base Hospital after being stung by a jellyfish at Cape Hillsborough, just North of Mackay. This follows a series of stings, including a 14-year-old girl at Airlie Beach who suffered excruciating pain from a box jellyfish encounter only weeks prior.

Just last Thursday, Mackay Regional Council issued a notice of closure from Surf Life Saving Queensland after Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club advised locals of a two-day closure due to the capture of eight box jellyfish.

Even walking along the beach can potentially be dangerous, as lifeguards have reported incidents of people being stung in shallow waters.

A spokesperson from Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club said, “The conditions currently being experienced at Mackay beaches (still, hot, recent rain) are making swimming unsafe.

“Around the region, we have had people stung in shallow waters.

“Today (Wednesday, 15th), over eight box jellyfish were caught at Eimeo by the lifeguards.

“We strongly encourage all people to not swim at the moment until we experience a change in conditions.”

Mackay Regional Council was notified on Thursday, 16th January, by Surf Life Saving Queensland that Sarina Beach would also be closed for two days due to the presence of box jellyfish.

A spokesperson from Mackay Regional Council said, “It is stinger season, and we recommend wearing a full-length stinger suit when swimming in tropical waters and packing a bottle of vinegar in the car when heading to the beach.

“In the event of a jellyfish sting, call 000 and prepare for CPR, douse the area with vinegar for 30 seconds, and do not rub the sting.”

Marine biologist Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin highlights the deadly potential of box jellyfish, known as Chironex fleckeri.

She states that even sick or dying jellyfish washing ashore can be lethal.

“A mature Chironex has 15 tentacles on each corner, totalling up to 180 meters of killing power,” Dr. Gershwin warned.

“It takes as little as three to five minutes to kill a healthy adult.”

While many believe stinger season ends with summer, Dr. Gershwin emphasised that April is also one of the highest-risk periods due to the large, mature jellyfish still present in the waters.

“There is no 'safe' time of year in North Queensland waters - only periods of higher or lower risk,” she cautioned.

Beachgoers are reminded to wear protective stinger suits, avoid swimming outside patrolled areas, and exercise caution even on the sand, as jellyfish tentacles can remain active.

Staying informed and prepared can make all the difference in safely enjoying North Queensland's stunning coastline.

Read up on the latest information regarding patrols by visiting Surf Life Saving’s website https://beachsafe.org.au/or by downloading the BeachSafe app.

HOW TO TREAT MARINE STINGS

The rule of thumb for marine stings is to apply hot water as most venom is made inactive by heat.
The exception to this rule is box jellyfish stings which are best treated with vinegar.

In a 2020 article, Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department specialist, Dr Andrew Brier, said the pain of other jellyfish, stingrays and stonefish stings could be relieved by plunging the affected area into water as hot as the person could stand, but not so hot it damaged the skin.

“The only time you wouldn’t do this is for a box jellyfish sting and that is quite obvious from the ladder tentacle pattern,” he said.

Statistics from MHHS:

Proserpine Hospital
3 Irukandji stings in January
7 jellyfish stings (5 in December and 2 in January)

Mackay Base Hospital
1 box jellyfish sting in December
2 Irukandji stings (1 in November and 1 in December)
2 jellyfish stings (1 in December and 1 in January)

Bowen Hospital
2 Irukandji stings in January
4 jellyfish stings in December

Box jellyfish numbers are surging across North Queensland, prompting beach closures and warnings from lifeguards and medical professionals to avoid swimming due to a rise in stings, with incidents reported even in shallow waters. Photo source: Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club

This young lad was stung at a Mackay Beach several years ago and was admitted to the Children’s Ward. Photo source: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

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