department of
health and community services

media release

Stinger Season warning to keep children out of the sea

Monday 12 November 2007

The police have reported that a six-year-old boy died yesterday from Box Jelly Fish stings, after swimming in the sea at a remote coastal community.

The Department of Health and Community Services’ Professor Bart Currie said the death is a sad reminder about how dangerous it is for children to swim in the sea during the stinger season.

“Box Jellyfish are dangerous and severe stings can be fatal, particularly for children.

“Children are more at risk due to their small body size and parents should be vigilant in keeping their children out of the sea during the stinger season”, Prof Currie said.

If a person is stung the affected area should be soaked with vinegar before removing tentacles and professional medical advice should be sought immediately.

Prof Currie said the severity of the sting does vary, with some people experiencing only mild pain, while others may experience severe pain.

Of the last 11 deaths from jellyfish stings in the Territory all have been children, highlighting how important it is to keep children out of the sea during the stinger season. This most recent death follows the last recorded NT death in February 1996 when a 3-year-old girl was stung on a remote beach. There have also been three children die from Box Jellyfish stings in far north Queensland since 2000.

The two Box Jellyfish in the Northern Territory are the major box jellyfish called Chironex fleckeri and the Gove box jellyfish. The Gove box jellyfish has only been reported from Gove Peninsula in North-East Arnhem Land and has not been associated with any fatalities.

The Chironex fleckeri Jellyfish is considered to be responsible for all the NT deaths and it is present in all NT coastal waters. Its bell can measure up to 20cm in diameter, with up to 12 tentacles off each of the four corners of the bell.

The official stinger season is from 1 October to 1 June.

• Box Jelly Fish Fact Sheet

Media contact: Sonia Peters 8999 2886 or 0401 119 550