Global warming and the Jellyfish toxidrome

Global warming and the Jellyfish toxidrome.

From #CodaZero Live, Alice Young provides a brief update on the presentation, complications and management of Irukandji syndrome; and why we all need to know about it.

With ocean temperatures rising we are seeing an increasing number of Irukandji jellyfish and subsequent stings in waters further and further south.

On average there are approximately 50-100 people stung every year in Australia.

Reports show that people typically experience symptoms between five minutes and two hours post sting. Symptoms include systemic symptoms, severe pain, headaches, shortness of breath and often what is described as an impending sense of doom.

Irukandji jellyfish have the potential to cause Irukandji syndrome - a life threatening envenomation syndrome that causes severe pain, heart failure and intracranial haemorrhage.

As these jellyfish stings are becoming more and more common in southern regions of Australia, it is important that healthcare workers understand the characteristics of the sting and how to respond with treatment.

Listen to the full episode "Global warming and the Jellyfish toxidrome" wherever you get your podcasts.

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