General Discussion
Invasion of the killer jellyfish
Bardwell, I found this. It mentions 4 sightings in Devon, including Smuggler's Cove, Dawlish. Makes interesting reading.
Invasion of the killer jellyfish
By Andrew Gregory 13/08/2008
Coastal alert as killer jellyfish invade the shoreline of Britain
Mirrorman Ed Baker
Britain's beaches have been invaded by poisonous jellyfish that can kill with a single sting.
Swarms of the tropical Portuguese Man o' War have been swept here from the Caribbean by unseasonal high winds. A lad of seven had a lucky escape after he was stung by one in Charmouth, Dorset.
Worried marine experts yesterday warned holidaymakers to be on the lookout for killer tropical jellyfish lurking on Britain's beaches.
At least 19 of the poisonous 10-inch sausage-shaped creatures have been found washed up on our shores in the past week.
A seven-year-old boy had a lucky escape when he was stung on the leg while paddling in Charmouth, Dorset.
And it is feared many more will be blown ashore in the next weeks.
Peter Richardson, of the Marine Conservation Society, said: "These are extremely dangerous creatures. You need to stay well away from them."
The Portuguese Man o' War delivers a toxic sting from metres-long tentacles that lie beneath the surface of the sea as it floats on top hunting food. Most human victims drown after their body goes into shock in the wake of the agonising sting.
But it is not unknown for the toxin to kill outright as it causes a massive allergic reaction and organ failure.
Mr Richardson added: "Children are more at risk because these creatures are incredibly beautiful. Their tentacles are a deep blue and are therefore extremely tempting to touch.
"Portuguese Man o' Wars have killed swimmers around the world so I would advise anyone swimming off our coast over the next few days to remain vigilant. The jellyfish have bright purple or blue bodies that look like a balloon and hanging from them are what look like streamers.
"But those streamers are tentacles that carry a cocktail of toxins.
"When people get stung they have different reactions. Some just feel a painful sting, others come up in lesions while some can go into anaphylatic shock."
Until last week there had only been five sightings of the Portuguese Man o' War in Britain in five years.
But there have been at least 19 sightings in the past week. In Dorset, eleven have been found since last Wednesday. Five were at Charmouth, where the lad was attacked.
Others were sighted at Burton Bradstock, Durdle Door, Chesil Cove and Kimmeridge Bay.
There have been four sightings in Devon - at Bigbury, Wenbury, Salcombe Regis, and Smuggler's Cove, Dawlish.
One was also found on the beach at Porthcurno, Cornwall, and another at Brook Bay on the Isle of Wight.
Yesterday the Mirror found two more at Kimmeridge Bay - suggesting many more are on yet to be found.
The seven-year-old victim has not been named. His parents rushed him to hospital after he screamed as the jellyfish struck. Witness Meirel Whaites said: "He was howling in agony. To have so many of these things around is quite alarming."
Three weeks ago swarms of Portuguese Man o' Wars swamped France's Mediterranean coast.
In a single day, paramedics treated 500 sting victims.
Do you know the boy who was stung or anyone else attacked by jellyfish? Call us on 0800 282 591.
