LABUAN – Two teenagers have been hospitalised after being stung by what could be box jellyfish while swimming at the popular Sungai Miri beach on Saturday morning.
The boys were picnicking with their family at the beach before the incident happened at 11am. The two were immediately rushed to Labuan Hospital for treatment and reported to be in stable condition.
Labuan Fisheries Department director, Faizal Ibrahim Suhaili said a team from the Division of Resource Protection had been sent to the beach for monitoring and sampling purposes.
“We have received a report on the teenagers being stung by jellyfish…and our team is now at the beach to ascertain the species of the plankton.
“We hope the jellyfish that attacked the boys are not the Portuguese man o’ war (superficially resembling a jellyfish), which is infamous for its painful sting. So, our advice to beachgoers is to take extra precaution so as not to risk their lives when spotting the jellyfish in the waters,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Assoc Prof Dr B. A. Venmathi Maran of Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) said it could be the box jellyfish.
“In the Sabah waters, we found only one species, Chironex yamaguchii, which has so far been found in all the coastal waters of Sabah, but this is the first information on box jellyfish from Labuan as far as I know,” he said when contacted.
Hot weather
He warned that usually, the dry and hot weather allowed this species to increase in number from now until June.
In 2019, at least six people were stung by jellyfish in Sabah, killing one of them, a seven-year-old child from Kota Belud, while in Sapi Island, one fatality was reported in 2006.
The UMS scientist said swimmers and beachgoers should be careful of the deadly jellyfish as it is dangerous and could kill those stung by it if no immediate medical attention is given.
“Box jellyfish are transparent and it is difficult to spot them in the waters. Their sting can cause cardiac and respiratory arrests, aside from excruciating pain. As such, there is a high chance that swimmers would be unaware of their presence until they are stung,” he cautioned.
He said due to this case, it could be anticipated the population of jellyfish to be higher, affecting Sabah and Labuan waters due to the weather in the coming months.
“If you get stung, flush the stung spot with vinegar for 30 to 45 seconds to deactivate the undischarged nematocysts on the tentacles, no rubbing.
“Immediately seek medical treatment. It’s better to avoid areas where jellyfish are known to be present. I request that the authorities put up warning signs on the beaches.
“It’s also better to wear protective clothing for the whole body and bring along a bottle of vinegar with you when you go to the beach,” he advised.
More jellyfish alert
The public in a related development, had been advised not to touch, hold or keep the Velella velella jellyfish, or ‘by-the-wind sailor’, stranded on the beaches of Terengganu.
State Fisheries Department director Zawawi Ali said the blue marine life might not be dangerous to adults but could cause itchiness in children.
“Normally, the jellyfish float out at sea. They could have been driven by strong winds and waves and beached at Pandak Beach in Chendering, Teluk Ketapang Beach (Kuala Nerus) and Rhu Muda Beach (Marang).
“The people should inform the nearest Fisheries Department or the local authorities (PBT) for further action if they chance upon any species of jellyfish,’’ he said in a statement here today.
He said the department had requested the PBT to put up sign boards reminding beachgoers against touching the jellyfish.
“It has a beautiful colour and may pique the interest of individuals especially children to take a look and touch it as they don’t realise the risk.
He said the Velella velella species was different from the Portuguese man o’ war found on the beaches in Terengganu early last year.
“The Portuguese man o’ war has a bubble to stay afloat and has a very poisonous tail while the Velella velella has a sail and no tail.
‘’To date, there are two cases linked to the jellyfish, namely in Setiu and Teluk Ketapang. We hope the public will be more alert when participating in recreational activities on the beaches,” he added.
