Tourists warned after box jellyfish stings near Bamboo Island

[snoop1130]

 

National Park officials in Krabi issued urgent warnings about deadly box jellyfish after three tourists were stung near Bamboo Island in Phi Phi Archipelago. The tourists, who were all injured, have since been treated and are now in stable condition.

 

The warning signs have been posted by the Had Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, cautioning tourists and those engaging in marine activities to be vigilant. The affected areas include Bamboo Island, Ao Nang subdistrict, Mueang Krabi district, and other popular marine destinations.

 

Yutthapong Damsrisuk, head of the Had Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, explained that the box jellyfish is extremely venomous. Contact with this jellyfish can cause severe burning pain, and it can affect the skin, nervous system, and heart, potentially leading to death.

 

“The box jellyfish is a dangerous species. If stung, it can cause excruciating pain and may have serious effects on the skin, nervous system, and heart. In severe cases, it can be fatal.”

 

After the incident where three tourists were stung at Bamboo Island, they were promptly taken to Phi Phi Hospital by tour operators. Fortunately, all of them are now safe and recovering.

 

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) advises that if someone is stung by a box jellyfish, they should immediately use a hard object to scrape the tentacles off the skin. Direct contact with the tentacles should be avoided, and under no circumstances should the affected area be massaged or treated with any ointment.

 

Vinegar should be poured continuously over the stung area for at least 30 seconds. Freshwater should never be used to rinse the wound as it can cause the venom to spread more quickly. The victim should be transported to the hospital as swiftly as possible.

 

“In case of a sting, scrape off the tentacles using a hard object, avoid touching them directly, and do not massage the area. Pour vinegar on the sting for at least 30 seconds and avoid using fresh water. Take the person to a hospital immediately.”

 

Vigilance urged

 

The presence of box jellyfish in Thai waters is not a new phenomenon. These marine creatures, known for their transparent, cube-shaped bodies and long tentacles, are typically found in the coastal waters of Krabi, Phuket, and other southern provinces. Their venom is among the most potent in the animal kingdom, capable of causing death within minutes if not treated promptly.

 

Tourists visiting these areas are encouraged to heed the warnings and take necessary precautions. Wearing protective clothing while swimming and ensuring that a bottle of vinegar is handy can significantly reduce the risk and severity of stings, reported KhaoSod.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-28

 

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[Robert Paulson]

That doesn’t even look like a box jellyfish. 

[OccamsRazor]

3 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

That doesn’t even look like a box jellyfish. 

Photo appears to be a bluebottle jellyfish.  Like this...

https://thainewsroom.com/2024/06/25/3-stung-by-bluebottle-jellyfish-at-koh-racha-yai-off-phuket/

 

[novacova]

Portuguese man o' war, I’ve been lashed by those countless times 

[2long]

12 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

Photo appears to be a bluebottle jellyfish.  Like this...

https://thainewsroom.com/2024/06/25/3-stung-by-bluebottle-jellyfish-at-koh-racha-yai-off-phuket/

 

Box & Bluebottle both start with the letter B🤔🤭🫣

And the former grabs headlines while the latter is common and almost never fatal... although I didn't feel that way when one got me.

[2long]

If the report wants to be unnecessarily specific by writing things like "Yutthapong Damsrisuk, head of the Had Nopparat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park" couldn't they be specific and write the species' actual scientific classification?.... and then we would know that the posters above 👆 are correct and this isn't news.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

That doesn’t even look like a box jellyfish. 

Stop relying on the Op photo's as being accurate.

[Peterphuket]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it is a Physalia physalis

[mackayae]

Portuguese Man o' war. Which was reported earlier this week.

 

Edited yesterday at 01:35 AM by mackayae

[Korat Kiwi]

11 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it is a Physalia physalis

Yep.... and they still sting bad too. 

 

I've not encountered a box jelly and by the sounds of it, I don't want to.

 

PMOW is bad enough thanks! 

[Robert Paulson]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Stop relying on the Op photo's as being accurate.

What does one do when they are writing an article? You need a photo. Right? So you type in box jelly fish. My only point is it seems to me you’d need to try to mess this up. 

[Robert Paulson]

1 hour ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Yep.... and they still sting bad too. 

 

I've not encountered a box jelly and by the sounds of it, I don't want to.

 

PMOW is bad enough thanks! 

At least those seem relatively visible. The box can be hard to see. Not that I’d know I’ve never seen one. Or maybe I have and just didn’t know it

[Burma Bill]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

those engaging in marine activities to be vigilant.

 

 Please note, the sea is the natural habit for all jellyfish, not for humans, so expect to be stung!!

[watchcat]

On 6/28/2024 at 10:46 AM, snoop1130 said:

National Park officials in Krabi issued urgent warnings about deadly box jellyfish after three tourists were stung near Bamboo Island in Phi Phi Archipelago. The tourists, who were all injured

 

Play with water, and get "burned"....