TOWNSVILLE, Queensland, Australia (16 Apr 2002) -- An American tourist has died from an irukandji jellyfish sting while skin diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Robert King, 44, from Columbus, Ohio, died in Townsville Base Hospital after developing irukandji syndrome, which doubled his blood pressure and triggered a fatal brain hemorrhage. Another tourist, Richard Jordan, 58, from Britain, became the first recorded fatality from an irukandji sting when he died on January 31 after being stung while snorkeling off Hamilton Island near Cairns. Irukandji jellyfish are a small relative of the notorious box jellyfish, which have killed about 65 people and caused excrutiating pain for more than 20,000 victims over the past 50 years. Irukandji, which measure only 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) to 2.5 cm (1 inch) but have four long 50-cm (20 inch) tentacles, are found off Australia's north coast, throughout the Pacific and in Florida. Zoologists said prevailing wind conditions have brought record numbers of the deadly jellyfish to Australia's northeast coast this year, and more than 80 people were treated at one Cairns hospital in December and January. Dr Peter Fenner, Australia's leading irukandji expert, believes the sharp increase of irukandji could be connected to the El Nino weather system, which alters ocean temperatures and currents. | | Irukandji jellyfish There is no antidote for irukandji stings and the tiny jellyfish are invisible. "It's frightening ... especially if your business depends on it," said Dr. Fenner. "Unfortunately some of the more unscrupulous (tourism operators) will try and do a cover-up job." According to Cairns newspaper reports, many resorts have been doing exactly that. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
