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There is a jellyfish alert on the Australian holiday island of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island): within just four days, six people were stung in the sea off the island – apparently by Irukandji jellyfish. The nearly transparent box jellyfish (Carukia barnesi), discovered in 1961, has a diameter of only about one to two centimeters, but tentacles up to a meter long. Several children were among the injured, the news website News.com.au reported on Wednesday, citing rescuers.

Most of the injured had to be flown by rescue helicopter to Hervey Bay Hospital on the mainland. The mother of an eight-year-old victim told 9News that her son was screaming in pain. “He started vomiting and said he couldn’t feel his leg anymore. It was scary.” Visitors to K’gari are advised not to swim further into the area.

Poison can cause syndrome

The nettle poison of Irukandjis can cause the so-called Irukandji syndrome. The poisoning is mainly noticeable by severe abdominal, chest and back pain. Without medical care, the symptoms are life-threatening.

Irukandjis typically live in more tropical waters in far north Queensland and the Northern Territory. However, certain currents could cause the jellyfish to migrate further south, it was said. Experts fear that climate change could push them even further south in the future.

K’gari, off the coast of Queensland, is the largest sand island in the world and popular with tourists from all over the world. The beaches attract with white sand and crystal clear water – but in addition to jellyfish, there are also sharks, deadly spiders and dingoes on the dream island. (sda/dpa)