Top Enders are being reminded not to enter the sea because of the risk of box jellyfish and Irukandji stings after seven people with sting injuries were treated at Gove District Hospital in the last two weeks.
In separate incidents one adult and one child were stung by Irukandji jellyfish, while one adult and four children were stung by box jellyfish.
Acting Director of the NT's Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Dr Steven Skov said everyone should stay out of the sea and tidal creeks during the stinger season, which is from October 1st through till the end of May. He emphasised particularly that parents should keep their children out of the water.
"Box jellyfish stings are always extremely painful and can be fatal. Young children are particularly at risk because of their small size. All of the last 11 deaths from box jellyfish stings in the NT have been in children including the last one which was in November last year," Dr Skov said.
"A smaller species of jellyfish causes Irukandji syndrome. The person may not feel much pain straight away but within a few minutes to half an hour they can experience quite severe pains in the back and muscles, and feel sick and anxious. In some cases it may cause high blood pressure or heart failure."
While box jellyfish stings are more common between October and May, they can occur any time. Irukandji jellyfish can cause stings throughout the whole year.
Dr Skov said: "If a person is stung, get them out of the water. Douse the stung area with vinegar immediately. You can pick off any tentacles with your fingers as the skin on your fingers is too thick for the stings to penetrate and then rinse the area with salt water.
"If the person is seriously ill, you may need to do CPR. You may need to call for help from an ambulance or 000.
"In all cases take the person to a doctor or the hospital for a check up and pain relief," he said.
A box jellyfish fact sheet is available from the NT Centre for Disease Control Publications website:
http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_Control/Publications/CDC_Factsheets/index.aspx
Media inquiries: Cameron Jackson, DHF Media Liaison Officer 0401 116 144
Release date: 21 October 2008
